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^PROCEEDINGS 


EECEPTION   AND   DINNER 


IN    HONOR    OF 


GEORGE  PEABODY,  ESQ.,  OF  LONDON, 


BY   THE    CITIZENS   OF 


THE   OLD   TOWN   OF   DANVERS, 


OCTOBER  9,  1856. 


TO     WHICH     IS     APPENDED     AN 

istorital  Slutclj  of  %  lea;kb2  Institute, 


WITH    THE 

EXERCISES  AT  THE  LAYING  OF  THE   CORNER-STONE 
AND  AT  THE  DEDICATION. 

PiraLISaED   BY   ORDER  OP  THE  COMJIITTEE  OP  ARRANGEMENTS. 


BOSTON: 

HENRY   W.   DUTTON   &   SON,   PRINTERS, 
Nos.  3.3  &  3.5  Congress  Street. 

18  5  6. 


PREFACE 


The  remarkable  degree  of  success  attending  the  efforts  of  the  people 
of  the  Old  Town  of  Danvers  to  give  suitable  expression  of  their  grati- 
tude to  their  eminent  townsman,  and  the  interest  manifested  at  the 
time  and  since  in  the  proceedings  of  that  occasion,  by  the  public  at 
large,  seemed  to  render  it  proper  that  the  events  of  the  Reception 
should  have  a  more  enduring  record  than  the  newspapers  of  the 
day.  The  Committee  to  whom  was  entrusted  the  arrangements  for  the 
ovation,  therefore  appointed  a  Sub-Committee  to  attend  to  this  publica- 
tion, desiring  to  have  it  placed  in  the  hands  of  our  citizens  at  the 
earliest  possible  time  consistent  with  a  correct  record  of  the  transactions 
of  the  day. 

In  preparing  this  volume  for  the  press,  the  Compiler  has  felt  the 
want  of  sufficient  time  to  collect  and  arrange  his  materials  in  order  to 
present  the  work  to  the  public  in  a  suitable  form. 

Much  of  the  material  came  late  into  his  hands,  and  many  of  the 
details  were  furnished  by  different  persons,  having  different  modes  of 
presenting  the  same  kind  of  information,  so  that  he  has  found  it  impos- 
sible to  present  the  more  descriptive  parts  with  that  uniformity  which 
would  have  been  desirable.  Rather  than  delay  the  publication  of  the 
work,  he  has  preferred  to  adopt  the  narrative  of  events,  with  but  slight 
changes  from  the  form  and  language  in  which  they  were  presented  to 
him. 

The  proceedings  at  the  Institute  and  at  the  banquet,  which,  after  all, 
gave  the  most  extended  importance  to  the  Festival,  are  correctly  nar- 
rated, and  most  of  the  speeches  have  been  revised  by  their  authors. 


IV 

The  Compiler  confesses  himself  indebted  to  many  of  our  citizens 
for  materials.and  other  aid  for  different  parts  of  the  work.  Among 
others,  to  Messrs.  Samuel  Preston,  Amos  Merrill,  James  D.  Black,  and 
Augustus  Mudge,  for  accounts  of  the  several  Schools ;  Mr.  John  V. 
Stevens  and  Mr.  William  Green  for  descriptions  of  the  Fire  Depart- 
ment ;  Thomas  M.  Stimpson,  Esq.,  for  the  Historical  Sketch  of  the 
Peabody  Institute,  and  to  many  other  gentlemen  for  valuable  informa- 
tion and  suggestions  during  the  progress  of  the  compilation. 


CONTENTS, 


Introduction,  ...-.--1 

Decorations  at  Danvers,       ------  6 

"                 Danversport,             -            .            -            .            -  8 

"                 South  Danvers,         -----  12 

Arrangements,           -------  21 

Programme  of  Eeception,     -            .            -            -            -            -  21 

Chief  Marshal's  Notice,        -            - '          -            -            -            -  23 

The  Procession,        -------25 

Cavalcade,*   -  -.-  .  -  -  .  -25 

Fire  Department,      -------  28 

Schools, 30 

Exercises  at  the  Peabody  Institute,               .            .            -            -  38 

Mr.  Abbott's  Address,           ------  39 

Song  by  the  children  of  the  Holten  High  School,  -            -            -  44 

Mr.  Peabody's  Reply  to  Mi-.  Abbott,           -            -            -            -  44 

THE  DINNER,     -            -           -            -  47 

Speech  of  Mr.  Daniels,        -            -            .            -            -            -  47 

"            Mr.  Peabody,       ------  51 

"           Governor  Gardner,          -----  53 

"            Hon.  Edward  Everett,     -            -     '       -            -            -  56 

Song  of  Welcome,  by  Mrs.  Joel  R.  Peabody,          -            -            -  66 

Speech  of  Mr.  J.  B.  C.  Davis, 68 

"           President  Walker,            -----  72 

'•           Mayor  Meservy,               -----  72 

"            Prof.  C.  C.  Felton,          -----  74 

Ode,  by  Mrs.  George  A.  Osborne,  -----  78 

Speech  of  Mi-.  Charles  Hale,            -----  79 

"           Judge  White,       ------  82 

"            Judge  Upham,     ------  83 

"            Mr.  Cari-uthers,    -            -            -            -            -     '       -  85 

"            Mr.  Charles  W.  Upham,              .            -            -            -  86 

Ode,  by  Miss  Han-iet  W.  Preston,                -            .            -            -  88 

Toasts  and  Sentiments,        ------  88 

Letters,  .-------89 

Evening  Levees,        -  -  -  -  -  -  -109 

The  Next  Day,         -------  110 

Conclusion,               -            -            -           -            -            -            -  112 


VI 


The  Press,               -            -           -           -            -            -            -  115 

From  the  Boston  Evening  Transcript,       -           -           -           -  115 

"       "    Boston  Daily  Advertiser,            -            -            -            -  119 

"       "    Boston  Atlas, 120 

"       "    Boston  Courier,  ------  121 

"       "    Boston  Traveller,            -            -            .            -            -  121 

"       "    Boston  Journal,               -            ...            -  124 

"       "    Salem  Gazette, 125 

"       "    Salem  Register,               -----  125 

"       "    New  York  Times,           -----  130 

"      "    American  Journal  of  Education,           .           -           -  131 

"       "    Loudon  Times,                -----  133 

HISTORY  OF  THE  INSTITUTE,        -            -  135 

Prefatory,    --------  136 

Historical  Sketch,   -------  137 

Mr.  Peabody's  Sentiment  and  Letter,        -            .            .            -  138 

,  Government  of  the  Institute,          -----  143 

Donors  and  Donations  to  the  Institute,      .            -            -            -  145 

Laying  of  the  Comer-Ston3,           -            -            -  '         -           '-  147 

Remarks  of  Mr.  Daniels,    -            -            -            -            -            -  147 

Address  of  Mr.  Abbott,      ------  148 

Speech  of  Hon.  Abbott  La^wence,              -            -            -            -  153 

"            Mayor  Seaver,  of  Boston,          -            -            -            -  155 

"            Mayor  Huntington,  of  Salem,               -            -            -  157 

"            Hon.  George  S.  Hillard,            -            ...  157 

Mr.  C.  W.  Upham, 159 

Epistle  to  Future  Generations,        -            -            -            -            -  161 

Dedication,  -  -  -  -  -  -  -165 

Mr.  Daniels'  Remarks,        -            '-            -            -            -            -  165 

Original  Hymn,       -  -  -  -  -  -  -167 

Address  of  Hon.  Rufus  Choate,     -            -            -            -            -  168 

Speech  of  Hon.  Geo.  S.  Hiliard,    -----  183 

"           Hon.  D.  A.  White,        -----  134 

"            Hon.  Asahel  Huntington,          -            -            -            -  184 

Gov.  Washburn's  Letter,    -  -  -  -  -  -186 

Lyceum  and  Libraiy,          -            -            -            -            -            -  187 

List  of  Lectures  and  Lecturers,       -            -            -            -            -  187 

Rules  and  Regulations  of  the  Library,      -           -           -           -  192 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


Bust  of  Mr.  Peabody,  by  Jones. 

Portrait  of  Mr.  Peabody. 

View  of  Peabody  Institute,  South  Danvers. 

Arch  on  Maple  Street,  Danvers. 

T.  A.  Sweetser's  Eesidence,  and  Shop  of  Capt.  Sylvester  Proctor,  S.  Danvers. 

Arch  at  Danvcrsport,  and  Residence  of  Hon.  James  D.  Black. 

Lexington  Monument,  S.  Danvers,  and  Residence  of  Hon.  R.  S.  Daniels. 

Arch  on  Liberty  Street,  Danversport,  and  Residence  of  M.  Hooper,  Esq. 

Webster  Club  Arch,  Main  Street,  South  Danvers. 

Arch  at  Danversport,  near  the  Baptist  Church. 

Main  Street,  South  Danvers,  from  Francis  Dane's  store. 

Residence  of  Eben  Sutton,  Esq.,  opposite  the  Institute. 

View  of  "Warren  Bank,  Main  Street,  South  Danvers. 

Village  Bank,  Danvers,  and  Residence  of  Samuel  Preston,  Esq. 

Residence  of  Mr.  Abel  Proctor,  and  Arch  on  Holten  Street. 

Store  of  Prancis  Dane,  Esq.,  on  the  Square,  South  Danvers. 

Residence  of  Wm.  L.  Weston,  Esq.,  Danvers. 

Lowell  Sti-eet,  with  Arch  and  Congregational  Church. 


'^ 


i 


Frow  (I  JiustiyJI/ones. 
J.ri  Bultoids  l.;ih. 


THE    RECEPTION. 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  Reception  and  Dinner  in  honor  of  Mr.  Peabodt,  an 
account  of  which  it  is  proposed  to  offer  in  this  publication,  was 
given  by  a  joint  arrangement  between  the  towns  of  Danvers 
and  South  Danvers,  which  constituted  the  ancient  town  of 
Danvers.  The  initiative  was  taken  by  South  Danvers,  at  a 
legal  public  meeting,  held  on  petition  of  the  Trustees  of  the 
Peabody  Institute,  on  the  21st  day  of  August,  1856  ;  when, 
on  motion  of  Hon.  A.  A.  Abbott,  the  following  Resolutions 
were  adopted,  and  a  Committee  of  twenty-three  gentlemen 
were  chosen  to  carry  into  effect  the  wishes  of  the  inhabitants  : — 

Whereas,  reliable  information  has  been  received  that  George  Pea- 
body,  Esq.,  of  London,  a  native  of  this  town,  whose  life  and  character 
entitle  him  to  our  admiration  and  respect,  and  whose  munificent  dona- 
tions have  identified  him  with  our  local  interests  and  history,  is  about 
to  revisit  the  United  States, — therefore 

Resolved,  by  us,  the  citizens  of  South  Danvers,  in  town  meeting 
assembled,  that  we  hail  with  deep  pleasure  this  promised  realization  of 
a  long  cherished  wish,  and  praying  for  Mr.  Peabody  a  prosperous  voy- 
age, bid  him  a  hearty  welcome  to  his  native  town. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  twenty  gentlemen  be  chosen,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be,  on  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Peabody  in  this  country,  to  invite 
him  to  this  town,  the  home  of  his  youth  and  the  seat  of  his  noble 
benefactions ;  and,  if  he  shall  accept  their  invitation,  to  adopt  such 
measures  for  his  reception  and  entertainment  as,  in  their  judgment, 
will  best  express  the  love  and  honor  which  we  bear  him. 

It  was  afterwards  voted  that  an  attested  copy  of  the   above 

•Resolves  be  communicated  to  the  authorities  of  the  town  of 

Danvers,  with  an  invitation  to  unite  in  the  proposed  Reception. 


The  Selectmen  of  the  town  were  afterwards  added  to  the 
Committee,  increasing  the  number  to  twenty-three,  as  follows : 

Robert  S.  Daniels,  Chairman. 

Henry  Poor,  Ebenezer  King, 

Lewis  Allen,  Daniel  Taylor, 

Eben  Sutton,  Richard  Osborn, 

Elijah  W.  Upton,  Stephen  Blaney, 

Francis  Dane,  Fitch  Poole, 

Alfred  A.  Abbott,  Sydney  C.  Bancroft, 

William  Sutton,  John  B.  Peabody, 

George  Osborne,  John  V.  Stevens, 

Joseph  Jacobs,  Henry  A.  Hardy, 

Nathan  H.  Poor,  Thomas  M.  Stimpson. 

Kendall  Osborn,  Francis  Baker,  Secretary. 

Subsequently,  namely,  on  the  10th  day  of  September,  the 
citizens  of  the  town  of  Danvers  adopted  the  following  Resolves, 
and  elected  a  Committee  of  twenty-one  gentlemen  to  represent 
the  views,  and  to  carry  into  effect  the  wishes,  of  the  people  of 
that  town  : 

Resolved,  By  the  citizens  of  Danvers  in  town  meeting  assembled, 
that  we  anticipate  with  much  pleasure  the  promised  visit  of  Mr.  Peabody 
to  his  native  land,  and  cordially  bid  him  welcome  to  the  place  of  his 
nativity. 

Resolved,  That  our  thanks  are  due,  and  are  hereby  tendered  to  our 
sister  town  of  South  Danvers,  for  the  invitation  extended  to  cooperate 
with  them  in  the  reception  and  entertainment  of  Mr.  Peabody,  and 
while  heartily  concurring  in  the  sentiments  of  the  resolutions  adopted 
by  them,  it  will  give  us  pleasure  to  cooperate  with  them  in  adopting 
such  measures  as  will  best  accord  with  the  views  herein  expressed  ;  and 
to  this  end. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  twenty-one  be  chosen  to  take  the 
requisite  measures  in  cooperation  with  our  friends  in  South  Danvers. 

The  following  persons  were  then  chosen  to  constitute  the 

Committee  : 

Joshua  Silvester,  Chairman. 

Samuel  Preston,  Philemon  Putnam, 

Ebenezer  Hunt,  Levi  Merrill, 

Samuel  P.  Foavler,  Charles  Page, 

William  L.  Weston,  Reuben  Wilkins, 

Matthew  Hooper,  William  Endicott, 

I.  H.  Putnam,  Williaji  Green, 

Augustus  Mudge,  Charles  P.  Preston, 

James  D.  Black,  Benjamin  F.  Hutchinson, 

John  A.  Learoyd,  George  A.  Tapley. 

Nathan  Tapley,  Arthur  A.  Putnam,  Secretary. 


3 

The  Committees  thus  primarily  chosen  by  the  people  of  the 
two  municipalities,  afterwards  met  and  organized  as  a  joint 
Committee  to  make  arrangements  for  the  proposed  festival  in 
behalf  of  the  old  town  of  Danvers,  as  it  existed  previous  to 
the  separation.  The  expenses  were  to  be  borne  by  the  inhab- 
itants of  both  towns,  in  the  same  proportion  as  if  no  division 
had  taken  place,  with  the  exception  of  such  as  were  strictly 
local  in  their  character. 

The  gentlemen  composing  the  Joint-Committee  of  Arrange- 
ments were  organized  as  a  united  Committee  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  Hon.  R.  S.  Daniels  as  Chairman,  and  Francis  Baker, 
Esq.,  Secretary,  the  two  Town  Committees  still  retaining  their 
separate  organization. 

Previous  to  the  union  of  the  two  Committees,  that  of  South 
Danvers  appointed  a  delegation  of  five  of  their  number,  viz., 
Messrs.  Daniels,  E.  Sutton,  Allen,  Dane  and  Abbott,  to  meet 
Mr.  Peabody  in  New  York,  on  his  arrival  in  the  country,  and 
invite  him  to  a  public  reception  at  his  native  town.  A  delega- 
tion was  also  sent  on  a  similar  errand  from  Danvers,  consisting 
of  Messrs.  Silvester,  Page,  Hooper  and  Langley. 

Both  delegations  were  cordially  received  by  Mr.  Peabody, 
who  was  much  gratified  and  deeply  affected  on  being  informed 
of  the  designs  of  his  townsmen,  expressing  his  readiness  to 
comply  with  their  wishes,  but  at  the  same  time  strongly  desir- 
ing that  the  affair  might  be  conducted  in  a  quiet  and  unosten- 
tatious manner  and  at  as  little  expense  as  might  be  consistent 
with  a  public  reception. 

Deputations  were  present,  representing  the  merchants  of  New 
York  and  other  commercial  cities  of  the  Union,  to  offer  similar 
honors  and  eager  to  obtain  audience,  yet  Mr.  Peabody  embraced 
the  earliest  opportunity  to  receive  our  Committees  and  express 
his  unabated  attachment  to  the  place  of  his  nativity. 

It  is  not  proposed  in  these  pages  to  give  the  details  of  the 
arrangements  made,  but  only  the  results  as  they  transpired  in 
the  course  of  the  day.  It  may  be  proper  to  state  that  it  was 
at  first  proposed,  in  Committee,  that  the  celebration  should  be 
more  strictly  of  a  domestic  character,  a  family  meeting,  to  wel- 


come  home  one  of  its  honored  and  long  absent  members,  as 
well  as  an  occasion  to  express  gratitude  to  a  public  benefactor. 
In  consequence,  however,  of  the  refusal  of  Mr.  Peabody,  in 
his  letter  to  the  New  York  deputation,*  to  accept  any  public 
demonstration,  except  from  his  own  townsmen,  a  preference 
which  they  could  not  but  regard  as  highly  complimentary,  as 
well  as  evincing  his  unabated  love  for  the  place  of  his  nativity, 
they  were  induced  to  give  the  proposed  ovation  a  more  extended 
import.  This  was  now  understood  to  be  the  only  opportunity 
to  be  afforded  to  the  numerous  friends  of  Mr.  Peabody  to  unite 
in  such  a  testimonial  of  gratitude  and  respect.  The  plan  was 
therefore  enlarged  and  invitations  extended  in  a  liberal  manner 
to  Mr.  Peabody's  friends  in  distant  places. 

The  presence  of  so  large  a  number  of  Mr.  Peabody's  per- 
sonal friends,  many  of  whom  had  partaken  of  his  hospitalities, 
and  were  eager  to  greet  him  at  the  first  public  welcome  of  his 


*  The  terms  of  this  admirable  letter  are  so  honorable  to  the  writer  as  well  as 
Hattering  to  Jiis  townsmen,  that  we  here  insert  it : — 

Newport,  Monday,  Sept.  22,  1856. 

Gentlemen; — Your  letter  of  the  16th  inst.  is  before  me.  Allow  me  to  say 
•without  affectation  that  no  one  can  be  more  surprised  than  myself  at  the  cordial 
welcome  which  you  extend  to  me.  Had  my  commercial  and  social  life  in  London 
produced  even  half  the  results  with  which  your  kindness  endows  it,  I  should  esteem 
myself  more  than  repaid  for  all  labors  the're  by  such  a  letter,  subscribed  as  it  is  by 
manv  old  and  dear  friends,  by  gentlemen  whose  names  in  letters  are  coextensive 
with'the  knowledge  of  our  own  language,  and  by  merchants  whose  enterprise  has 
carried  the  flag  of  our  country  into  every  sea  that  commerce  penetrates. 

If  during  my  long  residence  in  London  the  commercial  character  and  honor  of 
our  countrymen  have  stood  upon  an  elevated  position,  it  has  not  been  the  result  of 
my  humble  efforts.  In  common  with  many  of  you,  I  have  tried  to  do  my  part  in 
accomplishing  these  ends.  That  the  American  name  now  stands  where  it  does  in 
the  commercial  world,  is  mainly  owing  to  her  merchants  at  home,  who  have  extended 
her  commerce  till  its  tonnage  equals  that  of  any  other  nation,  who  have  drawn  to 
her  chores  the  wealth  of  other  lands,  under  whose  directions  the  fertile  fields  of  the 
interior  have  been  made  accessible  and  peopled,  and  whose  fidelity  to  their  engage- 
ments has  become  proverbial  throughout  the  world. 

It  has  been  my  pleasure  during  a  long  residence  in  London,  to  renew  many  old 
friendships,  and  to  fonn  many  new  acquaintances  among  my  countrymen  and 
countrywomen  ;  and  it  has  been  my  good  fortune  to  be  permitted  to  cultivate  these 
in  social  life,  where  I  have  endeavored  as  much  as  possible,  to  bring  my  British  and 
American  friends  together.  I  believed  that  by  so  doing  I  should,  in  my  humble 
wav,  assist  "  to  remove  any  prejudices,  to  soften  political  asperities,  and  to  promote 
feelings  of  good  will  and  fratemity  between  the  two  countries.  It  gives  me  great 
pleasure  to  be  assured  that  my  countrymen  at  home  have  sympathized  in  these  ob- 
jects, and  believed  that  they  are  partially  accomplished.  The  recent  temporary 
■■estrangement  between  the  two  govemnieiits  served  to  demonstrate  how  deep  and 
cordial  is  the  alliance  between  tlie  interests  and  the  sympathies  of  the  two  people. 
By  aiding  to  make  individuals  of  the  two  nations  known  to  each  other,  1  supposed 
.that  I  was  contributing  my  mite  towards  the  most  solid  and  sure  foundation  of  peace 


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grateful  countrymen,  added  new  joy  to  the  occasion.  From 
being  simply  a  village  festival  it  became  almost  national  in  its 
character.  Gentlemen  of  the  highest  standing  among  the 
learned  professions  and  in  mercantile  and  other  pursuits,  were 
here  from  abroad,  to  unite  with  us  in  the  outpouring  of  grati- 
tude to  one,  whose  benefactions,  great  as  they  have  been  to  us, 
have  not  been  limited  to  any  narrow  locality. 

In  their  gratitude  for  benefits  showered  upon  themselves,  his 
townsmen  have  by  no  means  forgotten  his  wider  sphere  of 
benevolent  action.  His  protection  of  State,  and  consequently 
of  National  Credit  ;  his  generous  hospitalities  to  his  travelling 
countrymen,  and  his  efforts  to  promote  kindly  and  brotherly 
feeling  between  the  people  of  kindred  nations,  are  known  and 
appreciated.  They  are  not  ignorant  of  his  timely  aid  to  the 
American  exhibiters  at  the  Crystal  Palace,  or  of  the  humanity 
which  prompted  him  to  send  forward  the  Arctic  ships  in  search 
of  Sir  John  Franklin.  These  and  other  instances  of  his  claims 
to  be   considered  as  a    "  world's    benefactor,"    impressed   his 

and  good  will  between  them  ;  and  while  the  power  remains  to  me  I  shall  continue 
in  a  course  wliicli  you  approve. 

In  returning  to  my  native  land  after  an  absence  of  twenty  years,  I  had  several 
objects  in  view.  I  wished  once  more  to  see  the  land  of  my  "birth  and  early  youth, 
and  the  surviving  members  of  my  family;  once  more  to  greet  my  friends  in  every 
part  of  the  country  ;  and  to  see  and  know  tlie  new  generations  that  have  come  up 
since  I  left,  and  who  are  to  be  their  successors.  I  also  desired  to  visit  every  section 
of  the  Union,  and  to  witness  with  my  own  eyes  the  evidences  at  home  of  the  pros- 
perity of  which  I  have  seen  abundant  proofs  abroad.  The  twenty  years  that  have 
elapsed  since  my  last  visit  are  the  most  important  twenty  years  in  the  commercial 
history  of  America.  Like  Hip  Van  Winkle,  I  am  almost  appalled  at  the  wonderful 
changes  that  already  meet  my  eyes.  Although,  as  you  well  know,  I  have  not 
slumbered  meanwhile  in  a  Sleepy  Hollow,  I  stand  amazed  at  the  energy  and  activity 
which  characterize  your  city.  It  is  my  wish  and  purpose  to  remain  in  the  country 
long  enough  to  understand  these  changes  and  tlieir  causes. 

On  mature  reflection,  gentlemen,  I  think  that  if  I  accept  the  hospitalities  which 
have  been  tendered  to  me  by  yourselves,  and  by  friends  in  Baltimore,  Philadelphia, 
Boston  and  other  cities,  I  shall  very  seriously  interfere  with  the  objects  of  my  visit. 
I  have,  therefore,  been  obliged  to  come  to  the  conclusion  to  I'cfuse  all  invitations  to 
dinner  with  the  single  exception  of  my  native  town  of  Danvers,  in  Massachusetts. 
I  assure  you  most  sincerely  that  I  regret  very  much  that  my  plans  thus  compel  me 
to  decline  the  high  honor  which  you  propose  to  confer  upon  me,  and  to  deny  myself 
the  pleasure  of  meeting  so  many  personal  friends. 

With  great  esteem  and  respect, 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  faithful  servant, 

George  Peabody. 

Messrs.  Nathaniel  L.  &  George  Griswold,  Brown  Brothers  &  Co.,  Duncan,  Sher- 
man &  Co.,  Grinnell,  Minturn  &  Co.,  Goodhue  &  Co.,  Wetmore,  Ciyder  &  Co., 
SpofFord,  Tileston  &  Co.,  A.  &  A.  Lawrence  &  Co.,  Washington  Irving,  William 
B.  Astor,  Daniel  Lord,  George  Newbold,  John  J.  Palmer,  William  J.  Wetmore, 
Charles  Augustus  Davis,  E.  Cunard  and  others. 


townsmen  with  the  belief,  that  their  demonstration  should  have 
something  of  the  character  of  internatioiiality.  This  feature 
was  in  some  measure  given  to  it  by  the  presence  of  the  British 
Consul,  at  Boston,  and  of  other  distinguished  subjects  of  the 
United  Kingdom.  It  was  seen  in  the  various  decorations  in 
our  streets  and  upon  our  buildings,  where  the  stars  and  stripes 
everywhere  waved  in  amity  with  the  cross  of  St.  George.  It 
was  also  manifest  at  the  Dinner,  where  the  utmost  enthusiasm 
followed  the  mention  of  England's  beloved  Q,ueen.  These 
tokens  of  friendly  feeling,  which  it  was  so  gratifying  to  us  to 
exhibit,  as  the  sincere  expression  of  enlightened  American  sen- 
timent towards  the  fatherland,  we  are  happy  to  learn  have 
been  warmly  acknowledged  by  our  transatlantic  guests. 


DECORATIONS. 

As  the  decorations  of  our  public  streets  and  private  residences 
would  naturally  attract  the  first  attention  of  a  visitor,  and  an 
account  of  them  better  present  the  scene  as  it  existed  during 
the  progress  of  the  Procession,  it  has  been  thought  proper  to 
give  them  the  first  place  in  the  order  of  events  to  be  described. 

It  should  be  remarked  that  most  of  the  decorations  of  private 
citizens  were  the  work  of  a  few  hours'  preparation  on  the  day 
preceding  the  reception,  or  on  the  morning  of  the  day  itself. 
Yet  the  general  good  taste  displayed,  in  giving  the  town  an 
aspect  of  gaiety  and  joy,  seems  to  render  apology  scarcely 
necessary. 

DANVERS. 

All  the  public  buildings  on  Maple  Street  were  highly  decorated;  four 
beautiful  flags  floated  from  the  spire  of  Rev.  Mr.  Fletcher's  church, 
and  the  railroad  crossing  near  it  was  elegantly  trimmed  with  evergreen 
and  flags.     The  unfinished  grammar  schoolhouse  bore  the  motto^ 

"Free  Schools  the  Nation's  Strength." 

The  Village  Bank  building  was  ornamented  with  evergreen  and  stream- 
ers. Near  this  was  the  magnificent  arch,  which  was  admitted  to  be 
one  of  the  most  tasteful  in  design,  and  elegant  in  execution,  ever  seen 
in  the  country,  and  was  decidedly  the  most  splendid  decoration  on  the 


to     Q 


whole  route.  It  was  a  triple  arch,  the  main  one  being  forty  feet  wide 
and  forty  high,  with  lateral  arches  twenty  feet  wide  and  twenty  high. 
Six  large  American  flags  floated  above  the  principal  arch,  and  on  its 
very  summit  sal  a  large  gilded  eagle  with  spread  wings.  Across  the 
arch,  in  great  letters,  was  the  word 

"  Welcome." 

From  the  under  side  were  suspended  six  beautiful  medallions,  tastefully 
enwreathed  with  evergreen,  and  studded  with  gems  of  the  richest  flow- 
ers. The  two  central  ones  were  red,  six  feet  in  diameter,  and  had  in- 
serted on  them,  in  gilt  letters, — 

"He  has  honored  us  Abroad,  we  honor  him  at  Home." 

On  each  side  of  these  was  one  of  blue,  somewhat  smaller  than  the  red, 
but  equally  ornamented.  In  the  center  of  one  was  the  large  gilt  letter 
G.  and  in  the  other  the  letter  P. 

The  remaining  medallions  were  white,  with  a  splendid  bouquet  of 
flowers  in  the  center,  and  richly  enwreathed  as  the  others.  This  su- 
perb structure  was  covered  with  green  boughs  and  evergreens,  and  wa.s 
decorated  with  blue,  white,  and  red  streamers.  We  understand  this 
beautiful  tribute  was  wholly  domestic  in  its  origin,  erection  and  adorn- 
ments, the  ladies  bearing  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  latter,  and  that 
great  credit  is  due  in  the  premises  to  Joshua  Silvester,  Esq.,  who  had 
enjoyed  Mr.  Peabody's  hospitalities  in  London,  and  to  others  of  his 
neighbors,  who  took  an  active  part  in  its  erection. 

Passing  through  this  arch  you  came  under  a  most  magnificent  dis- 
play of  the  flags  of  all  nations.  More  than  four  hundred  feet  of  line, 
attached  at  the  corners,  at  an  elevation  of  more  than  si.xty  feet,  cross- 
ing each  other  over  the  center  of  the  square  in  the  form  of  a  horizontal 
X,  filled  with  the  various  flags  of  the  maritime  nations,  emblematic  of 
that  peace  and  concord  which  Mr.  Peabodv  has  labored  so  assiduously 
to  promote,  had  a  striking  etfect  to  elevate  the  mind  and  give  wings  to 
the  best  wishes  of  the  heart,  wafting  them  to  all  nations,  tongues  and 
people  on  the  face  of  the  globe. 

These,  with  the  tasteful  and  airy  decorations  of  the  houses  and 
stores  on  every  side,  made  an  exceedingly  brilliant  display,  and  will  be 
long  remembered  by  those  who  beheld  it.  It  was  said  that  this  scene 
by  moonlight  was  almost  enchanting  and  seemed  an  entrance  to  a  fairy 
land.  So  many  were  those  who  came  from  a  distance  to  see  these 
decorations,  from  the  first  Magistrate  of  the  State  to  the  more  humble 
mechanic,  in  carriages,  on  horseback,  on  foot,  by  day  and  by  night ;  so 
many  requested  they  might  be  kept  up  that  others  might  see  them,  they 
were  all  suffered  to  remain  unchanged  for  several  days,  that  both  the 
taste  and  curiosity  of  the  people  might  be  gratified.  When  the  carriage 
in  which  Mr.  Peabody  rode,  came  under  the  arch,  the  procession  was 
stopped,  and  Mr.  Peabody  stood  erect,  while  an  artist  stationed  for  the 
purpose  took  a  photographic  impression  of  the  scene. 

Of  private  decorations,  several  dwellings  on  Locust  Street  were  hung 
with  wreaths  and  bouquets,  and  a  vase  of  beautiful  flowers  stood  in 
each  of  the  lower  windows  of  Mr.  Joel  Putnam's  residence. 

On  Maple  Street  a  graceful   arch  spanned  the  gateway  before  Mr. 


8 

J.  A.  Learoyd''s  dwelling,  which  was  beautifully  ornamented  with 
wreaths,  festoons  and  flags.  The  store  of  F.  Perley,  Esq.,  was  trimmed 
with  pine  boughs,  evergreen  and  flowers.     It  bore  the  motto, — 

"Danvers  Welcomes  her  Noble  Son." 

Just  below,  the  shoe  manufactory  of  Mr.  Charles  Gould  was  orna- 
mented in  a  similar  manner,  with  the  motto — 

"Thy  Native  Land." 

The  residences  of  Mr.  H.  Preston  and  Messrs.  Sanger  and  Stimpson 
were  tastefully  adorned  with  evergreen  and  brilliant  flowers.  A  large 
American  flag  floated  above  the  bakery.  The  dwellings  of  Deacon  F. 
Howe  and  Samuel  Preston,  Esq.,  were  trimmed  with  festoons  and 
wreaths  of  flowers. 

On  the  Square,  the  store  of  Messrs.  Perley  &  Currier  and  the  adjoin- 
ing buildings  were  beautifully  decorated  with  luxuriant  foliage,  wreaths 
of  flowers,  and  streamers.  In  front  of  the  residence  of  the  late  John 
Page,  Esq.,  an  American  flag  hung  between  two  noble  elms,  and 
streamers  extended  from  them  to  the  brick  building  on  the  corner.  A 
line  of  flags  connected  I\Ir.  E.  G.  Berry's  hotel  with  Mr.  D.  Richards' 
store  ;  both  of  which  buildings  were  highly  ornamented  with  forest 
trees,  streamers  and  flowers.  Small  flags  were  displayed  from  every 
window  in  the  front  of  Mr.  F.  Noyes'  brick  block. 

On  High  Street,  the  residences  of  Messrs.  D.  Clough,  J.  Spaulding, 
and  S.  Brown,  were  ornamented  with  arched  gateways,  flags,  evergreen 
and  flowers.  On  this  street,  at  the  dwelling  of  VV.  L.  Weston,  Esq., 
was  a  novel  and  beautiful  display.  A  picture  of  Mr.  Peabody,  encircled 
by  an  elegant  wreath,  ornamented  the  front  of  the  house,  beneath  which 
appeared  the  word 

"  Welcome  " 

in  evergreen  letters.  Over  the  front  door  two  American  flags  leaned 
gracefully  :  before  them  a  platform  was  erected,  which  extended  over 
the  fence  of  the  front  yard  ;  it  was  draped  with  white  and  trimmed 
with  gorgeous  flowers.  On  this  stood  two  lovely  little  girls  (daughters 
of  Mr.  W.)  dressed  in  white,  holding  white  banners,  with  evergreen 
letters.     Motto  on  the  first, 

"We  receive  the  Debt." 
On  the  other, — 

"We'll  try  to  pay  it." 


DANVERSPORT. 

Passing  down  from  the  Plains,  we  find  by  the  brook  leading  into 
Porter's  River,  flags  stretched  across  the  street,  on  the  largest  of  which 
and  central  one,  was  the  word 

"  Danversport," 

signifying  to  the  passers  by  that  the  village  by  that  name  has  its  begin- 
ning at  this  place, — and  here  again  the  eye  is  gratified  by  the  varied 
exhibitions  of  taste  displayed  in  ornamenting  the  streets  and  residences 
of  the  inhabitants. 


First  is  observable  the  residence  of  Mr.  Philip  Smith,  which  is  one 
of  the  first  dwelling  houses  met  with  in  entering  the  village.  Here 
were  seen  tasteful  wreaths  of  evergreen  interwoven  with  flowers,  and 
the  inscription — 

"Welcome  Peabody," 

wrought  in  evergreen,  on  white  back  ground,  and  with  a  border  of 
green. 

Just  beyond;  in  front  of  the  residence  of  the  Hon.  James  D.  Black, 
a  beautiful  arch  was  constructed  covered  with  evergreen,  dotted  with 
flowers,  and  bearing  the  motto, 

"DaNVERS    WELCOiMES    HEK   FaVORITE    SoN  ;" 

surmounted  by  a  piece  of  carved  work,  in  the  form  of  a  spire.  Four 
national  flags  waved  from  its  pillars.  The  residence  of  Mrs.  J.  Trask 
was  decorated  with  wreaths  and  flowers. 

Mr.  Black's  fine  residence  was  also  dressed  with  festoons  of  ever- 
green, encircling  the  pillars  of  the  portico,  and  tastefully  draped  with 
bunting  :  beautiful  bouquets  of  showy  flowers  and  wreaths  were  dis- 
played, adding  greatly  to  the  effect.  Two  national  flags,  diverging 
from  the  top  of  the  portico,  waved  to  the  breeze  ;  also,  a  flag  and 
beautiful  streamer  from  the  tall  and  graceful  flag-staff"  erected  on  the 
highest  part  of  his  grounds. 

Passing  down.  High  Street  presented  to  the  eyes  of  the  procession, 
as  far  as  their  vision  could  reach,  a  succession  of  decorations,  giving 
to  the  occasion  the  appearance  of  a  gala  day  indeed.  The  cottage  of 
Capt.  Thomas  Johnson  had  flags  displayed  from  the  various  angles  with 
streamers  festooned,  &c.  ;  in  the  gable  end,  on  the  street,  was  the  in- 
scription— 

"Welcome," 

encircled  by  a  very  handsome  wreath  ;  above  it,  a  gilt  eagle  sat  perched 
in  a  thicket  of  evergreen,  arranged  in  such  a  manner  as  to  do  credit  to 
the  natural  instincts  of  that  noble  bird  ;  over  the  gateway  was  a  small 
arch  tastefully  decorated. 

Opposite,  Mr.  Hezekiah  Dwinell  had  erected  a  beautiful  arch  over 
the  gateway  leading  to  his  residence. 

Capt.  Henry  Johnson  had  a  fine  display  of  flags  and  streamers  across 
the  street,  and  the  fence  in  front  of  his  residence  festooned  with 
streamers. 

Mr.  Charles  Chaplin  had  caused  a  line  filled  with  a  variety  of  flags 
and  banners,  to  be  extended  across  the  street  in  front  of  his  residence. 

Mr.  Peter  R.  Crowell  also  had  a  line  of  flags  in  front  of  his  resi- 
dence. 

Again,  another  line  of  flags,  opposite  the  house  of  Mr.  Benjamin 
Kent. 

We  next  come  to  the  splendid  arch,  by  the  Baptist  Church,  on  the 
corner  of  High  and  Water  Streets.  This  arch,  although  not  of  so 
great  dimensions  as  the  one  erected  on  the  Plains,  was  thought  by 
many  to  be  equal  to  anything  ever  before  seen  in  this  vicinity  for  de- 
sign and  for  its  exquisite  taste  ;  the  general  form  was  similar  to  the 
others,  but  the  motto  was  placed  in  two  festoons  of  gilt  letters,  on  green 


10 

back  ground,  with  a  graceful  festoon  of  oak  leaves  underneath.  Bunt- 
ing of  bright  red  and  white  dnaped  the  arch,  and  mottoes  and  national 
flags  waved  from  its  pillars.  A  splendid  gilded  eagle  surmounted  the 
whole.     The  motto, — 

"Danvers  WelcOxMES  a  Nation's  Guest," 

being  considered  appropriate  to  the  occasion,  as  our  guest  had  received 
invitations  to  partake  of  the  hospitalities  of  the  more  important  com- 
mercial cities  of  the  nation. 

The  Square,  at  the  junction  of  High  and  Water  Streets,  presented  a 
truly  splendid  show.  Here  were  the  flags  of  the  largest  dimensions 
placed,  some  of  which  were  fifty  feet  in  length. 

The  stores  of  Messrs.  T.  J.  Melvin  and  Phineas  Comins,  and  the 
residences  of  Messrs.  E.  M.  Waldron  and  Dr.  Eben  Hunt,  were  very 
tastefully  ornamented  by  the  display  of  bunting,  festooned,  evergreen 
wreaths,  flowers,  and  shrubs.  River  Street,  also,  which  was  seen  on 
the  left  of  the  route  of  the  procession,  had  quite  a  display  of  flags, 
&c.  The  line,  with  the  Fremont  and  Dayton  flag,  in  front  of  the 
store  of  Mr.  Comins,  had  also  two  other  national  flags. 

Passing  down  Water  Street,  the  procession  passed  under  a  beau- 
tiful wreath,  of  a  diameter  of  ten  feet,  suspended  from  the  limb  of 
the  noble  old  elm  in  front  of  the  dwelling-house  owned  by  Mr.  M. 
C.  Oby  ;  this  wreath  was  the  handiwork  of  Mr.  Oby,  and  bore  the 
inscription,  in  large  letters,  extending  across  the  same, 

"Welcome." 

The  residence  of  Mr.  Wm.  Endicott  had  a  small  arch  erected  over 
the  gateway,  bearing  the  inscription, — 

"Our  Benefactor." 

The  stores  of  Messrs.  Warren  and  Wm.  Black  were  also  finely 
dressed  with  flags,  bunting,  bouquets,  and  evergreen  trees  and  boughs. 
Flags  of  all  nations  suspended  above  the  street,  in  front  of  the  resi- 
dence of  Maj.  Moses  Black. 

The  wool  store  of  M.  Black,  Jr.  &  Co.  made  the  most  magnificent 
display  of  flags  in  the  village.  A  line  containing  fifteen  flags,  no 
two  of  them  alike,  stretched  across  the  street  ;  another  containing 
three  large  national  flags,  surmounting  the  first,  the  central  one  bear- 
ing the  motto — 

"Education's  Friend." 

Out  of  nine  windows  in  the  upper  stories  of  the  tall  storehouse  were 
suspended  as  many  American  flags.  The  carved  lamb,  erected  about 
midway  of  the  height,  had  a  beautiful  wreath  of  evergreen  and  flowers 
around  its  neck  ;  the  whole  tastefully  draped  with  streamers.  The 
shipping  in  port  caught  the  enthusiasm  of  the  occasion  and  made  a 
very  fine  display,  with  their  flags  and  streamers  at  masthead. 

Passing  to  the  Danvers  Iron  Works,  we  noticed  another  exceedingly 
tasteful  arch,  erected  over  the  entrance  of  Liberty  Street.  This  added 
materially  to  the  series  of  arches,  with  mottoes,  in  this  part  of  the  town. 
Across  the  arch  were  put  thirty-one  silvered  stars,  on   blue  ground, 


II 

representing  the  thirty-one  States  in  the  Union.  Beneath  were  sus- 
pended three  festoons,  on  which  were  inscribed  the  motto, — 

"  A  Friend — at  Home  and  Abroad." 

The  whole  remaining  portion  of  the  arch  was  well  covered  with  green 
boughs,  with  bunches  of  flowers  interspersed,  and  a  gilded  eagle,  with 
spread  wings,  on  the  summit.  At  this  point  there  was  also  a  fine  dis- 
play of  flags,  suspended  far  up  above  the  street,  from  the  mansion  of 
Mathew  Hooper,  Esq.,  on  which  was  the  inscription,  extending  across 
two  sides  of  the  large  house,  in  large  letters — 

"God  will  Bless,  and  Man  should  Honor,  a  World's  Benefactor." 

"G.  P." 
At  this  point  is  the  termination  of  the  village  proper,  called  Danvers- 
port,  of  which  it  may  not  be  considered  out  of  place  or  improper  to 
give  a  passing  notice.  This  village,  formerly  called  the  "  Neck," 
afterwards  "  New  Mills,"  was  one  of  the  first  spots  selected  by  the 
founders  of  Danvers  as  an  eligible  locality  for  the  establishment  of  a 
settlement :  the  first  inhabitants  regarding  its  "  mill  privileges "  as 
superior  to  any  in  its  vicinity.  It  is  situated  upon  three  arms  of  the 
sea  known  as  "  Porter's,  Crane,  and  Waters  Rivers,"  all  of  which  are 
navigable.  The  facilities  afforded  by  these  avenues  to  commerce 
have  had  a  tendency  to  foster  those  branches  of  business  that  look  to 
emolument  by  trade  upon  the  mighty  deep.  The  depth  of  water  not 
being  great,  no  great  metropolis  could  be  expected  to  have  grown  up. 
In  the  earlier  days  the  fathers  built  vessels,  and  carried  on  the  fishing 
business,  where  now  wharves  are  seen  well  stocked  with  merchandise. 
This  being  the  most  inland  approachable  navigable  locality,  for  several 
flourishing  towns  in  the  vicinity,  the  business  of  the  place,  instead  of 
being  turned  to  manufacturing  and  producing,  as  in  other  portions  of 
the  town,  has,  by  the  force  of  circumstances,  been  made  to  consist 
almost  exclusively  of  a  mercantile  character.  It  is  here  that  the  farmers 
and  mechanics  of  the  manufacturing  villages  obtain  those  necessaries 
of  life  which  their  branches  of  industry  fail  to  supply  ;  such  as  flour, 
corn,  molasses,  salt,  coal,  wood,  lumber,  lime,  cement,  and  many  arti- 
cles of  minor  importance,  which  are  obtained  only  by  transportation 
by  water.  Trade,  th.it  a  few  years  since  was  considered  almost  of  no 
comparative  account,  has  grown,  keeping  pace  with  the  rapidly  in- 
creasing prosperity  of  the  manufacturing  villages,  until  the  statistics 
are  alike  startling  and  cheering  to  the  staid,  sober  citizens  of  riper  age. 
The  arrivals  are  some  two  hundred  yearly  ;  vessels  of  various  capacity 
of  burden,  from  one  hundred  toJvvo  hundred  and  fifty  tons,  all  engaged 
in  carrying  the  actual  necessaries  of  life.  The  facilities  for  carrying 
on  the  mercantile  business  are  such  that  with  the  railtoad  communica- 
tion to  the  back  country,  the  importance  of  this  place  as  a  business 
locality  must  be  more  and  more  appreciated.  With  an  appropriation 
for  the  deepening  and  straightening  the  channel,  such  as  are  obtained 
frequently  from  the  General  Government  for  internal  improvements  in 
localities  less  deserving,  the  facilities  for  navigation  might  be  greatly 
improved,  and  Danversport  would  become  one  of  the  most  important 
business  localities  in  the  Commonwealth. 


12 


SOUTH  DANVERS. 

At  the  junction  of  Andover,  Central,  and  Liberty  Streets,  more  fa- 
miliarly known  in  former  days  as  the  "  Pine  Tree,"  a  rustic  arch 
spanned  the  street,  composed  entirely  of  oak  and  pine  branches,  and 
evergreens,  and  having  a  line  of  wreaths  intertwined  with  flowers. 

Near  this  arch  is  a  small  gambrel-roof  house  of  considerable  historic 
interest  as  having  once  been,  in  his  youthful  days,  the  residence  of  the 
philosopher  Bowditch.  On  this  humble  dwelling  was  a  panel  with  the 
inscription — 

"The  Home  of  Bowditch." 

The  engine-house  of  the  Torrent  Engine  Company  was  decorated 
with  flags,  evergreens,  and  pine  trees.  That  unique  group  of  faces 
carved  on  its  front,  which  has  always  attracted  so  much  of  the  atten- 
tion of  travellers,  was  made  more  expressive  by  fresh  coloring,  and 
those  queer-looking  figures  seemed  to  look  down  with  astonishment  on 
the  scene  before  them. 

Flags  were  suspended  across  the  street  near  this  point,  and  in  the 
center  of  the  line  the  word 

"  Welcome," 
and  on  the  reverse, 

"Peabodt." 

Flags  were  also  suspended  from  the  house  of  Henry  M.  Osborn  to 
that  of  the  late  Mr.  Stephen  Osborn. 

At  the  residence  of  Miles  Osborn,  Esq.,  where  Mr.  Peabody  and  the 
guests  of  the  Committee  were  entertained,  an  array  of  bunting  extended 
from  the  front,  with  a  line  of  flags  across  the  street  to  the  house  of  Mr. 
Stephen  Peabody,  while  the  American  flag  floated  from  the  top  of  the 
house,  all  making  a  good  display. 

The  schoolhouse  was  gayly  adorned  with  festoons  and  wreaths  of 
evergreens,  and  a  portrait  of  Mr.  Peabody  surmounting  the  motto — 

"  God  lovetii  the  Cheerful  Giver  ;  so  doth  the  Eeceiter." 

The  house  was  further  adorned  with  the  Peabody  coat-of-arms,  paint- 
ed by  a  promising  and  meritorious  young  artist  of  this  district,  Mr.  Asa 
Bushby,  Jr. 

A  line  of  flags  was  also  seen  across  the  street  near  the  residences  of 
Messrs.  William  Osborn,  Samuel  Cheever,  P.  G.  Folsom  and  others. 
Another  from  the  residences  of  Ira  D.  Foster  and  James  Perry. 

William  Potter's  house  was  nearly  covered  in  front  with  streamers, 
bouquets  and  evergreens,  and  a  noble  elm  at  the  corner  of  Elm  Street, 
from  which  the  latter  received  its  name,  was  twined  with  bunting. 

There  was  also  a  fine  flag  floating  across  Elm  Street. 

The  residence  of  Hon.  Henry  Poor,  on  the  other  corner  of  Elm 
Street,  was  splendidly  decorated,  and  had  triangular  flags  in  front. 

A  fine  arch  at  this  point  spanned  Central  Street,  with  the  inscription — 

"  The  Bot  of  ouk  Free  Schools  our  noblest  Benefactor." 
On  Stevens  Street  a   line   of  flags  and  wreaths  extended  from  the 


13 

residence  of  John  V.  Stevens  to  Mr.  S.  Newman's  house,  bearing  the 
motto — 

"  Welcomk  Home." 

The  house  of  Nathan  H.  Poor,  Esq.,  Town  Clerk  of  South  Danvers, 
was  also  decorated  with  bunting  and  wreaths  of  evergreen.  Mr.  Jos. 
Fenderson's  house  was  also  decorated  with  wreaths.  George  M.  Teel's 
house  on  Central  Street  was  gayly  dressed  with  bunting. 

At  the  square  near  the  Old  South  Church,  where  Mr.  Peabody  for- 
merly worshipped,  the  scene  was  particularly  gay,  most  of  the  build- 
ings being  elaborately  dressed  with  flags,  streamers,  and  bearing  in- 
scriptions. Here  was  a  noble  arch,  with  Britisli  flags  on  either  side, 
and  on  the  north  side  the  words — 

"  Welcome  Home." 
and  on  the  reverse — 

"A  GRATEFUL  PeOPLE  GREET  HIM." 

The  large  brick  store  occupied  by  Francis  Dane  and  Amos  Merrill 
was  finely  dressed,  and  a  long  line  of  flags  extended  quite  across  the 
square  to  the  church.     The  corner  of  the  building  bore  the  motto — 

"Action  is  the  Life  of  Virtue." 

Another  arch,  fronting  Lowell  Street,  was  finely  draped  with  flags. 

General  Foster  Enginehouse,  on  Lowell  Street,  was  decorated  with 
flags. 

Lewis  Allen,  Esq.'s  brick  block,  occupied  by  A.  P.  Phillips  &  Son, 
A.  A.  Abbott,  C.  F.  Flint,  and  others,  was  fully  dressed,  and  over  the 
Post  Office  a  full  length  portrait  of  Washington.  Above  this  was  a 
spread  Eagle,  holding  streamers  in  his  beak,  which  were  festooned 
broadly  on  the  building,  and  underneath,  the  word 

"  Welcome." 

Underneath  the  portrait  of  Washington  were  the  words 

"  Sacred  to  Liberty." 

From  each  corner  of  the  building  were  thrown  flags  in  profusion; 
extending  from  this  to  Warren  Block  was  a  line  of  flags — a  Mexican 
flag  captured  at  Chapultepcc,  and  others. 

The  new  Warren  Bank  Building  was  finely  dressed  with  drapery, 
evergreens  and  flowers.     It  bore  the  motto — 

"  We  avelcome  home  the  heart  unchanged 
By  honors,  wealth,  or  courtly  power." 

Across  the  entire  front  extended  the  word 

"  Welcome," 

each  letter  being  enclosed  in  a  wreath  of  evergreen.  This  fine  build- 
ing was  farther  beautifully  adorned  by  a  bright  display  of  ladies  in  the 
balcony  in  front. 

The  estate  of  Hon.  George  Osborne  was  elaborately  decorated  with 
the  English  and  American  colors.  Two  very  large  and  new  English 
and  American  ensigns,   flanking  the   extreme    right   and    left  of  his 


14 

grounds,  connected  by  pennants  and  streamers  to  the  center  of  the 
mansion,  from  whence  were  draped  two  elegant  flags  of  the  two  na- 
tions, decorating  in  graceful  folds  each  side  front  of  the  house.  Gar- 
lands and  bouquets  of  natural  flowers,  as  pendents  of  the  flags,  relieving 
the  center. 

At  Orlando  E.  Pope's,  two  flags  were  displayed,  American  and 
English,  with  the  words — 

"A  Youth's  Tribute," 

trimmed  with  evergreen. 

The  British  flag  was  a  trophy  taken  by  the  grandfather  of  the  young 
man  in  1814  at  Plymouth,  where,  at  the  time,  he  was  commandant  at 
the  fort. 

The  shop  occupied  by  Mrs.  Lord  was  tastefully  decorated,  having  in 
front  a  portrait  of  Capt.  Sylvester  Proctor,  taken  some  years  since. 
Underneath  which  was  this  inscription — 

'•  Stlvestek  Pkoctok,  the  early  friend  and  patron  of  George  Peabodt. 
His  works  do  praise  him." 

Red  and  white  streamers  depended  from  the  roof  arching  over  the 
portrait,  and  were  festooned  across  the  windows  below,  which  were 
trimmed  with  evergreens,  and  adorned  with  bouquets  of  flowers. 

It  was  here  that  Mr.  Peabody  passed  several  of  his  youthful  years, 
"  receiving  from  Mr.  Proctor  and  his  excellent  lady,"  as  he  himself 
remarked,  "  parental  kindness,  and  such  instructions  and  precepts  as, 
by  endeavoring  to  practice  which,  in  after-life,  I  attribute  much  of  my 
success." 

The  front  windows  and  interior  were  ornamented  by  the  occupant 
with  beautiful  bouquets,  tastefully  arranged,  presenting  a  neat  and 
graceful  appearance. 

Next  to  this  was  the  building  occupying  the  site  of  the  house  where 
Sylvester  Proctor,  the  early  friend  and  patron  of  Mr.  Peabody,  was 
born,  and  where  also  was  the  first  law-office  of  the  Hon.  Rufus  Choate, 
was  beautifully  adorned  for  the  occasion.  On  the  house,  under  a  can- 
opy of  American  flags,  was  displayed  a  fine  portrait  of  Sylvester  Proc- 
tor, painted  by  Mrs.  Sweetser,  the  lady  of  T.  A.  Sweetser,  the  occu- 
pant. Under  the  upper  windows  was  a  beautiful  arrangement  of 
dahlias,  of  various  colors,  forming  the  name  of 

"  George  Peabodt." 

Next  below,  in  letters  of  box,  was  the  motto, 

"  True  Nobilitt." 

At  each  side  of  these  inscriptions  were  large  bouquets,  formed  of 
the  variegated  forest  leaves  of  the  season.  Suspended  from  the  cor- 
ners of  the  house,  across  the  front,  were  long  wreaths  of  dahlias  of  all 
colors,  blended  with  evergreens,  and  tastefully  festooned. 

On  the  second  story,  in  large  letters  of  box,  was  inscribed — 

"International  Friendship;" 

below  which  were  intertwined  American  and  English  flags,  which  were 
united  by  the  American  shield.     Wreaths  of  forest  leaves  were  ex- 


s 


in 

H 
o 

JO 

m 

-J 


15 

tended,  at  this  point,  from  one  side  of  the  house  to  the  other.  Upon 
the  windows  in  the  third  story  were  twined,  in  the  form  of  shields, 
American  pennants.  In  front  of  all,  curving  from  the  center  of  the 
eaves  to  the  trees  upon  the  sidewalk,  were  long  streamers  of  green  and 
yellow  twined  with  the  American  pennant,  that  gracefully  relieved  the 
decorated  face  of  the  building.  The  embellishments  were  in  fine 
keeping  with  the  color  of  the  house,  and  their  harmony  and  taste  were 
very  generally  admired. 

The  house  of  Mr.  Franklin  Walker  was  dressed  with  wreaths  of 
evergreens,  its  interior  also  being  decorated  with  vases  of  flowers,  por- 
traits enclosed  in  wreaths  of  evergreen  interspersed  with  flowers. 

Mr.  E.  W.  Wood's  house  was  ornamented  in  front  with  wreaths  and 
festoons  of  evergreens  and  flowers  and  an  American  flag. 

The  house  of  Mr.  Ebon  S.  Howard  was  also  decorated  with  wreaths 
and  flowers. 

Eagle  Enginehouse  had  a  fine  display  of  national  and  signal  flags, 
with  a  figure  of  a  fireman  on  the  cross-trees  of  the  flag-staff'.  On  the 
front  was  inscribed,  in  large  size,  the  letter  "  P." 

The  new  brick  mansion  of  Eben.  Sutton,  opposite  the  Institute,  had 
a  pyramidal  bower  of  flags  and  bunting  in  front,  making  a  unique  dis- 
play of  much  beauty.  Hon.  Edward  Everett  stood  on  the  portico  of 
this  house  and  witnessed  the  progress  of  the  procession,  recognizing 
Mr.  Peabody  as  he  passed,  amidst  the  shouts  of  the  spectators.  The 
meeting  of  these  two  gentlemen,  at  the  same  place,  after  the  return  of 
the  procession,  was  a  most  hearty  greeting,  and  one  of  the  interesting 
events  of  the  day. 

The  front  of  the  Peabody  Institute  was  the  central  point  for  deco- 
rations as  well  as  for  the  principal  exercises  of  welcome  to  our  distin- 
guished guest.  A  cone  of  streamers  of  various  colors,  suspended  from 
the  peak  of  the  roof,  were  festooned  below,  and  in  the  center  was  a 
tablet  with  the  historic  inscription, 

Founded  June  16,  1852. 

Dedicated  to  Knowledge  and  Morality, 

September  29,  1854. 

Over  the  tablet  was  the  Peabody  Arms,  surmounted  by  an  eagle  and 
canopied  by  American  and  British  flags,  the  whole  making  a  neat  and 
beautiful  appearance.  A  multitude  of  flags  of  different  nations,  the 
stars  and  stripes  and  the  British  ensign  waving  in  close  proximity, 
floated  high  above  the  street ;  and  just  beneath,  over  the  center,  streamers 
radiated  in  every  direction  from  a  scroll  emblazoned  with  the  name  of 

"  Peabody," 

making  a  complete  and  brilliant  canopy.  The  whole  was  conceived 
in  excellent  taste  and  made  a  most  attractive  exhibition. 

The  house  of  Mr.  Samuel  Ham,  near  the  Institute,  was  tastefully 
decorated  with  flags. 

Samuel  Harris's  house  was  ornamented  with  evergreen  in  wreaths 
and  festoons,  also  with  flags. 

Benjamin  Wheeler's  house  was  decked  with  flags  and  streamers. 


16 

The  beautiful  mansion  of  Benjamin  S,  Wheeler  was  elaborately 
dressed  with  streamers  of  various  colors,  making  one  of  the  most  at- 
tractive shows  in  tlie  street. 

The-  Union  Store  was  embellished  with  pine  boughs  and  flags. 

The  residence  of  Mr.  David  Daniels,  one  of  Mr.  Peabody's  earliest 
and  most  intimate  friends,  was  handsomely  decorated  with  bunting. 
From  Mr.  Daniels'  store  to  that  on  the  opposite  corner  across  Wash- 
ington Street,  a  line  of  British  and  American  flags  bore  the  motto — 

"At  the  Counter  or  on  the  Exchange,  always  Just  and  True." 

The  store  occupied  by  George  P.  Daniels  and  Eben.  S.  Howard 
was  finely  dressed  with  bunting  of  various  colors. 

The  residence  of  Dr.  S.  A.  Lord  and  G.  W.  Sargent  was  very  neatly 
and  tastefully  decorated  with  wreaths  of  evergreen  and  a  fine  portrait 
of   Webster. 

Here  was  erected  a  magnificent  arch,  appropriately  trimmed  with 
evergreen  and  bunting,  and  bearing  the  inscription. 

Honor  to  Whom  Honor  is  Due. 
Webster  Clur. 

Above  the  keystone  of  the  arch  was  a  bronze  bust  of  Webster,  and 
upon  the  keystone  the  word  "Peabody  "  was  emblazoned,  surrounded 
with  gilded  stars  and  festooned  with  evergreen.  On  the  columns  were 
the  names  distinguished  in  our  local  history,  Holten,  King,  Ward, 
Fosters,  Osborn,  Proctor,  Bo wd itch  and  Putnam.  On  the  top  of  one 
column  was  the  word 

"  Liberty  ;" 
on  the  otlier, 

"  Union." 

This  arch  was  erected  by  the  Webster  Club. 

Flags  were  suspended  across  the  entrance  of  Holten  Street,  and  a 
tablet  with  the  following  inscription — 

A  Good  Investment,  Monet   expended   for   the   promotion  of  Knowl- 
edge AND  Morality. 

Across  Main  Street,  from  George  E.  Meacom's,  English  and  American 
flags  were  suspended,  and  the  front  of  his  store  was  gayly  ornamented 
with  bunting. 

The  house  occupied  by  Mr.  Peabody  was  decorated  with  evergreen 
and  flowers. 

The  residence  of  Hon.  A.  A.  Abbott  was  most  beautifully  embel- 
lished with  flags  and  streamers  extending  to  the  trees  in  front ;  and 
over  the  portico  in  front  was  a  bust  of  Webster,  with  the  national 
shield,  and  the  word 

"  Welcome." 

The  pillars  were  entwined  with  flags.     The  whole  presented  a  very  pic- 
turesque appearance. 

The  fine  mansion  of  W.  M.  Jacobs,  Esq.,  was  tastefully  adorned 
with  bunting,  and  evergreen  wreaths  and  festoons  intertwined  with 
flowers.  Over  his  porch  was  exhibited  a  painting  representing  the  Old 
South  Church,  as  it  existed  at  the  time  Mr.  Peabody  left  this  country 


17 

for  England.  On  this  painting  was  also  represented  a  view  of  the 
encanfipnaent  of  the  Danvers  Light  Infantry,  under  Capt.  (now  Gen.) 
Sutton,  on  the  green,  which  at  that  time  existed  in  front  of  the  olo 
meeting  house. 

The  store  occupied  by  C.  F.  Hoi  man  was  decked  with  streamers  of 
red,  blue  and  yellow,  gracefully  festooned. 

Mr.  Paul  Hildreth's  house  showed  exquisite  taste  and  skill  in  the 
making  and  arrangement  of  wreaths  and  festoons  of  evergreens  and 
bouquets  of  flowers. 

Edward  W.  Jacobs'  house  was  also  similarly  adorned  with  flowers 
and  evergreen. 

A  large  American  flag  was  suspended  across  Pierpont  Street  fronr? 
the  house  of  Mr.  Joshua  H.  Poole. 

The  house  occupied  by  William  Southwick  displayed  decorations  of 
neatness  and  good  taste. 

A  line  of  flags  of  different  nations  was  suspended  across  Main  Street 
In  front  of  Gen.  Sutton's  brick  store. 

Gen.  Sutton's  mansion  was  profusely  embellished  with  bunting 
gracefully  displayed,  and  made  a  splendid  appearance. 

The  residence  of  William  Sutton,  Jr.,  on  Main  Street,  was  hand- 
somely festooned  with  bunting. 

The  house  of  Fitch  Poole  had  festoons  of  evergreen  and  flags  and 
shields,  with  the  stars  and  stripes  enclosed  in  wreaths.  In  his  yard 
were  statues  of  Victoria  and  Prince  Albert,  and  between  them, 
elevated  on  a  pedestal,  a  bust  of  Washington. 

Volunteer  Engine  House  was  very  finely  arrayed  with  flags  and 
streamers.     Its  front  was  spanned  with  an  arch,  bearing  the  motto — 

"The  Fire  of  true  Gratitude: 
Water  cannot  Quench  it." 

Near  the  top  of  the  house  was  a  gilt  eagle,  with  a  ring  in  his  beak, 
from  which  streamers  were  suspended,  on  the  front  of  ihe  building.  Or 
either  side  was  a  figure  of  a  fireman,  and  on  each  side  of  the  arch  a 
Union  shield,  with  stars  and  stripes,  and  beneath  it  a  representation  of 
a  fire  engine. 

The  house  of  Mr.  Nathaniel  Anable  was  decked  with  flags  and 
pennons,  a  portrait  of  Washington,  and  wreaths  of  evergreen.  In 
front  of  the  house  was  erected  a  tall  ladder,  dressed  with  evergreen, 
and  on  the  top  round  the  name  of 

"Peabody." 
The  allusion  attracted  much  attention  for  the  originality  and  aptness  of 
its  conception. 

Two  flags  were  suspended  across  the  street  from  R.  O.  Spiller's 
store,  and  on  its  front  was  the  inscription — 

"  George  Peamody,  Benefactor  op  his  Native  Town." 

The  residence  of  Mr.  William  Poor  displayed  fine  taste  in  the  selec- 
tion and  arrangements  of  its  decorations,  and  made  a  beautiful  display. 

Nathan  Pearson  and  William  Cutler's   residence   was   decked  with 
wreaths  and   festoons  of  flags  ;  the    windows   dressed   with  evergreen 
and  bouquets. 
2 


IB 

Flags  were  suspended  across  the  street  at  the  Old    Elm  Tree,  the 
old  Salem  boundary  line,  by  C.  A.  Dearborn  and  others. 


HOLTEN  STREET. 

This  street,  now  so  populous,  had  no  existence  at  the  time  of  Mr. 
Peabody's  residence  here,  and  is  one  example  of  the  progress  of  the 
town  in  population  and  improvement. 

At  its  junction  with  Main  Street  was  the  display  of  a  line  of  flags 
and  inscription,  as  represented  in  the  preceding  account. 

The  residence  of  G.  A.  Osborne,  Esq.,  was  hung  with  festoons  ot 
streamers  and  evergreen,  with  a  fine  picture  of  Mr.  Peabody  in  a  gilt 
frame,  bordered  with  choice  flowers  and  wreaths  of  the  same.  Near 
it  was  a  beautiful  arch  spanning  the  street,  fancifully  adorned  with 
wreaths  and  the  following  inscription,  each  letter  of  which  was  exhibited 
on  a  white  ground  and  enclosed  in  a  wreath — 

"  George  Peabody,  the  Fkiend  of  the  People." 

This  arch  was  further  decorated  with  pine  boughs,  flowers  and  flags 
and  wreaths  suspended  from  it.  From  beneath,  hung  flags  and  stream- 
ers, supported  by  a  golden  eagle,  holding  in  its  beak  wreaths  of  beau- 
tiful flowers. 

The  house  of  Mr.  Elijah  W.  Upton  attracted  general  notice  for  the 
neatness  and  beauty  of  its  decorations. 

The  houses  of  Mr.  George  P.  Osborn  and  Mrs.  H.  Robbins  were 
also  appropriately  embellished. 

The  mansion  of  Mr.  Abel  Proctor,  in  Sewall  Street,  was  highly 
dressed  with  flags  and  streamers. 

Stephen  Osborn's  house,  on  Holten  Street,  was  gfiyly  dressed  with 
festoons  and  streamers. 

Across  the  street,  opposite  the  premises  of  Mr.  Abel  Proctor,  was 
another  fine  arch,  supported  by  pine  trees  decorated  with  flags  and 
wreaths  of  evergreen,  with  the  inscription — 

"Respected  axd  Honored  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic." 
"  George  Peabody." 

With  coat  of  arms.     On  the  obverse  : 

"George  Peabody — a  Noble  Representative  of  American  Merchants." 

Mr.  John  Pindar''s  house  was  adorned  with  evergreen  and  display  of 
bunting. 

Flags  were  displayed  across  the  street  from  the  houses  of  Mr.  John 
Birbeck  and  Mr.  Lauriston  Stiles, 

Mr.  Francis  K.  Pemberton's  house  was  dressed  with  pennants  and 
wreaths. 

The  houses  of  Mr.  Dennison  W.  Osborne  and  John  S.  Grant  were 
largely  decorated  with  wreaths  and  pennants. 

Another  fine  arch  extends  across  the  street,  finely  draped  with  flags, 
bearing  the  inscription — 

"George  Peabody,  a  Man  who  is  a  Man." 
The  head  was  finely  decorated  with  small  flags. 


19 

Levi  Spauldiiig's  house  was  fully  dressed,  with  displays  of  bunting, 
as  was  also  that  of  T.  W.  Carr. 

The  cottage  house  of  Mr.  Joseph  Moore  was  neatly  and  tastefully 
decorated  with  wreaths  of  evergreen  and  flowers,  and  streamers  of 
various  colors. 


WASHINGTON   STREET. 

Mr.  Benjamin  Osborn's  house  exhibited  red  and  white  streamers, 
festooned. 

The  house  of  Levi  Trask  had  wreaths  of  evergreens. 

Mr.  Samuel  Symonds'  house  had  a  fine  display  of  streamers  and 
trimmings  of  oak  leaves. 

At  Mr.  Joseph  E.  Goldthwait's,  an  arch  was  erected  neatly  trimmed, 
on  which  was  a  white  flag,  with  the  name 

"  Peaeodt," 

and   beneath   it  a  single   star,  enclosed  in   a   circle,  and  under  it  the 
words — 

"  Welcome,  Friend  of  EDncATiox." 

This  is  a  part  of  Washington  Street,  near  the  Dinner  Tent,  at  the 
entrance  to  which  was  an  arch,  with  the  word — 

"  Welcome." 

From  this  arch  streamers  extended  to  the  door  of  the  tent.  The  in- 
terior was  dressed  gayly  with  bunting,  stretching  from  the  tent  poles  to 
the  outer  sides,  and  behind  the  guests  was  a  grey  eagle  in  full  plumage. 

In  Wright's  large  tent  plates  were  laid  for  thirteen  hundred  persons. 
In  the  rear  was  a  smaller  tent,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  children, 
which  will  seat  fifteen  hundred.  The  dinner  was  by  J.  B.  Smith,  the 
well  known  caterer. 

There  was  also  suspended  from  one  of  the  tent-poles  a  spread  eagle 
with  the  Union  shield  on  his  breast,  and  holding  in  one  claw  the  Amer- 
ican and  in  the  other  the   British  flag.     From  his  beak  were  the  words 

"  England  my  Abiding  place,  America  my  Home." 

This  fine  design  was  the  work  of  Messrs.  Philip  and  William  Blaney. 

The  house  of  Joshua  Giddings  was  finely  dressed  with  red  and  white 
streamers,  displayed  on  its  front. 

William  H.  Lord's  house  was  elegantly  draped  with  flags  and 
streamers  and  wreaths  of  evergreen. 

Near  this  place  was  an  arch  thrown  across  the  street,  and  it  may 
safely  be  said  that  the  scene  presented  in  this  immediate  locality  was 
one  of  the  finest  on  the  entire  route. 

At  the  mansion  of  Charles  E.  Brown,  Esq.,  flags  and  streamers, 
with  other  decorations,  were  tastefully  displayed,  and  made  a  handsome 
appearance. 

The  house  of  Caleb  S.  Currier  was  well  decorated  with  bunting,  and 
a  line  of  flags  extended  across  the  street. 

The  fine  residence  of  Mr,  John  O.  Poor  was  beautifully  decorated 


20 

with   flags,  shields  of  Union  with  stars   and   stripes,  and  a  variety  of 
other  ornaments,  with  the  word 

"  Wklcome  " 
on  an  evergreen  tablet. 

The  house  of  Mr.  E.  VV.  Fornis  was  similarly  adorned  with  flags, 
streamers  and  evergreens. 

The  residence  of  A.  F.  Clark  was  tastet'ully  dressed  with  flags,  &c., 
with  the  inscription  over  the  entrance — 

"  Hail,  Noble  Patron," 

with  decorations  of  various  colored  dahlias  and  wreaths  of  flowers. 

Across  the  street  is  a  line  of  American  flags,  with  the  word  on  white 
ground — 

"  Peabody.' 
On  the  obverse — 

"  The  Teue  Value  ok  Wealth  is  its  Right  Use." 

The  residences  of  Eben.  S.  and  George  P.  Daniels,  was  also  deco- 
jated,  and  over  the  entrance  was  the  inscription — 

"  Welcome  to  our  Guest." 

Tl>e  adjoining  residence  of  Thorndike  P.  Daniels  was  also  tastefully 
rtdorned,  and  over  the  entrance — 

"  We  all  Unite  to  Honor  Him." 

Across  the  street  is  another  fine  arch,  surmounted  by  an  eagle  and 
dressed  with  flags. 

The  residence  of  Hon.  Robert  S.  Daniels,  president  of  the  day,  pre- 
sented a  fine  appearance  ;  the  entire  front  was  beautifully  decorated  with 
flags  and  streanaers,  with  the  motto  over  the  entrance — 

"  Welcomb  to  our  Benefactor." 

At  this  point,  across  the  street,  is  a  line  of  various  flags,  with  the  in- 
scription, 

"  Honor  to  Him  who  Loves  to  Honor  His  Country." 

The  old  Lexington  Monument  was  tastefully  decorated  with  wreaths 
and  flags. 


e^ 


21 


ARRANGEMENTS. 

The  Joint-Committee  held  frequent  meetings  at  the  rooms  of 
the  Peabody  Institute,  dividing  their  labors  by  ihe  appointment 
of  Sub-Committees,  to  whom  were  committed  the  duties  par- 
ticularly adapted  to  each.  The  result  of  their  preparations,  up 
to  a  few  days  previous  to  the  day  of  Reception,  is  foreshadowed 
in  the  following  programme.  The  more  complete  arrange- 
ments for  the  procession  will  be  found  in  the  Chief  Marshal's 
notice,  which  follows. 

IJrogrammc. 

PEABODY    RECEPTION. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements,  appointed  severally  by  the  two 
towns  of  Danvers  and  South  Danvers,  have  jointly  adopted  measures 
for  a  public  reception  of  George  Peabody,  of  London,  on  his  contem- 
plated visit  to  his  native  town. 

The  time  fixed  for  the  proposed  reception,  after  conference  and  cor- 
respondence with  Mr.  Peabody,  is  Thursday,  Oct.  9th,  1856. 

THE    ARRANGEMENTS. 

The  arrangements  are  not  yet  completed,  but  such  progress  has  been 
made,  that  the  Committee  feel  authorized  to  announce  that  the  princi- 
pal features  of  the  occasion  will  be  a  Procession,  in  which  the  Schools 
will  form  a  prominent  part ;  an  Address  of  Welcome,  in  behalf  of  the 
citizens,  by  Hon.  Alfred  A.  Abbott  ;  a  Public  Dinner,  in  a  tent  or 
pavilion ;  and  a  Levee  in  the  evening.  It  is,  however,  understood  that 
the  proposed  Levee  will  not  be  accompanied  with  music  or  refresh- 
ments, but  is  intended  for  the  simple  purpose  of  affording  ladies  and 
gentlemen  an  opportunity  for  a  personal  introduction  to  Mr.  Peabody. 

THE    reception. 

The  Committee  will  first  meet  Mr.  Peabody  on  Maple  Street,  near 
Rev.  Mr.  Fletcher's  Church,  at  10  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  thence 
he  will  be  escorted  by  a  cavalcade,  by  the  most  direct  route  through 
Danversport,  to  the  head  of  Central  Street,  where  the  several  bodies 
composing  the  procession  will  be  drawn  up  to  receive  him.  The  Com- 
mittee have  invited  the  Town  Authorities,  the  Schools,  the  members  of 
the  Fire  Departments,  strangers  from  abroad,  and  our  own  citizens,  to 
join  the  procession  ;  and  they  have  also  invited  the  Divisionary  Corps 
of  Cadets,  under  Capt.  Foster,  to  perform  escort  duty.  It  is  also  under- 
stood that  a  cavalcade  will  form  a  part  of  the  procession.  Other  organ- 
ized bodies  or  voluntary  associations  which  may  wish  to  join  in  the 
procession,  are  requested  to  notify  the  Chief  Marshal,  who  will  assign 
them  their  places. 


22 


THE     PROCESSION. 

Gen.  Wm.  Sutton  has  been  appointed  Chief  Marshal  of  the  day, 
who  will  select  his  Aids,  and  a  sufficient  number  of  Assistant  Marshals 
will  be  appointed.  The  procession  will  move,  immediately  after  receiv- 
ing Mr.  Peabody,  through  Central  and  Main  Streets,  to  the  Salem 
boundary  line,  countermarch  to  Holten  Street,  through  Holten,  and 
return  by  Washington  and  Main  Streets  to  the  Peabody  Institute,  where 
the  address  will  be  delivered.  After  the  exercises  at  the  Institute,  a 
new  procession  will  be  formed,  consisting  of  holders  of  tickets  to  the 
dinner,  and  the  schools,  who  w^ill  proceed  to  the  tables  under  military 
escort. 

THE    DECORATIONS. 

It  is  also  proposed  that  the  streets  and  houses  on  the  route  of  the 
procession  shall  be  decorated  in  such  manner  as  the  taste  of  individuals 
or  neighborhoods  may  dictate,  in  addition  to  such  decorations  as  may 
be  provided  by  the  Committee. 

THE    DINNER. 

Hon.  Robert  S.  Daniels  has  been  appointed  President  of  the  Day, 
and  will  preside  at  the  dinner,  assisted  by  Rev.  Dr.  Braman,  as  first 
Vice  President,  and  such  other  Vice  Presidents  as  may  be  hereafter 
designated. 

Tickets  for  the  dinner,  at  $1.50  each,  may  be  had  at  the  following 
places,  viz.  :  Francis  Dane's,  Amos  Merrill's,  Thomas  A.  Sweetser's, 
and  George  E.  Meacom's,  South  Danvers ;  Post  Office,  at  Danvers 
Plains ;  T.  J.  Melvin's,  Danversport ;  F.  A.  «Sc  R.  Wilkins,  Danvers 
Center;  and  J.E.  Tilton's,  Salem. 

It  is  expected  that  ladies,  as  well  as  gentlemen,  will  partake  of  the 
public  dinner. 

It  is  earnestly  desired  that  gentlemen  may  purchase  tickets  for  them- 
selves and  their  friends  immediately,  as  the  number  to  be  provided  for 
must  be  limited  to  the  demand  for  tickets,  and  the  sale  of  tickets  will 
stop  on  Monday  next. 

For  the  Committee  of  Arrangements, 

Francis  Baker,  Secretary. 

South  Danvers,  Oct.  3,  1856. 


Maj.  Gen.  William  Sutton  was  appointed  Chief  Marshal  of 
the  day,  tvith  the  following  Aids  and  Assistant  Marshals : 

Aids. 

Warren  M.  Jacobs,  William  Potter, 

George  M.  Teel,  C.  C.  Piper, 

D.  A.  Varney,  a.  G.  Allen. 

Assistant  Marshals. 

Dr.  D.  C.  Perkins,  •  ■              Edward  W.  Fornis, 

Miles  O.  Stanley,  Aaron  F.  Clark, 

Benj.  S.  Wheeler,  Wm.  C.  Rogers, 

RuFus  H.  Brown,  Isaac  B.  Elliott, 

Benj.  T.  Tilton,  Alfred  Ward. 
Sam'l  SyjioNDs, 


23 

€l)ief  illarsljal's  Notice. 

ORDER     OF     PROCESSION, 

At  the  Reception  of  George  Peabody,  Esq.,  of  London,  at  South  Dan- 
cers, his  native  place,  in  old  Danvers,  Thursday,  Oct.  9,  1856. 

Mr.  Peabody  is  expected  to  arrive  at  the  place  of  his  first  reception 
on  Maple  Street,  at  9  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  will  be  escorted  to  the  junc- 
tion of  Liberty  and  Central  Streets,  by  a  cavalcade.  The  procession 
will  be  here  formed  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  arranged  in  the  following 
order : — 

Escort,  consisting  of  the  Divisionary  Coi^ps  of  Independent  Cadets, 

under  Capt.  Foster,  with  Gihnore's  Brass  Band. 

Chief  Marshal  and  Aids. 

Committee  of  Arrangements  on  foot. 

Mr.  Peabody  in  a  barouche,  with  Hon.  Eobert  S.  Daniels,  President  of  the  Day. 

Governor  of  the  Commonwealth  and  other  invited  guests  in  carriages. 

Municipal  Authorities  of  Danvers  and  South  Danvers,  on  foot. 

Marshal. 

Present  and  Past  Trustees  of  the  Peabody  Institute. 

Present  and  Past  Members  of  the  Lyceum  and  Library  Committee  of  the  Institute. 

Marshal. 

Band. 

Marshal  with  Aids. 

Teachers  and  Pupils  of  the  Peabody  and  Holten  High  Schools,  with 

Peabody  Medal  Scholars. 

'Marshal. 

Grammar,  Intermediate,  and  Primary  Schools. 

Marshal. 

Citizens  and  Strangers. 

Marshal  of  Fire  Department  and  Aids. 

Band. 

Engineers  and  Firewards  of  the  Fire  Departments  of  the  two  Towns. 

Marshal. 

Engine  Companies  arranged  in  the  order  of  precedence  as  established  by  the  old  Town 

of  Danvers. 

Marshal  with  Aids. 

Cavalcade  of  Ladies  accompanied  by  Gentlemen. 

Marshal  with  Aids. 

Mounted  Band. 

Cavalcade  of  Gentlemen. 

The  procession  will  move  through  Central  and  Main  Streets  to  the 
boundary  line  of  Salem  and  South  Danvers,  countermarch  to  Holten 
Street,  through  Holten,  Pleasant,  Washington  and  Main  Streets,  to  the 
Peabody  Institute,  where  the  public  exercises  of  welcome"  will  take 
place  on  the  platform  in  front  of  the  building. 

On  arrival  at  the  Institute,  a  space  will  be  cleared  to  admit  the  pro- 
cession to  the  front  of  the  platform. 

The  enclosure  will  be  reserved  for  the  teachers  and  pupils  of  the 
Schools,  the  Medal  Scholars,  and  ladies  holding  tickets  to  the  dinner. 
Ladies  holding  tickets  will  also  be  admitted  into  the  building  until  the 
procession  is  formed  to  proceed  to  the  dinner. 

After  the  exerci.ses  at  the  platform  are  concluded,  a  new  procession, 
consisting  of  the  holders  of  dinner  tickets,  will  be  formed  in  the  follow- 
ing order : — 


24 

Escort. 

Chief  Marshal  and  Aids. 

Members  of  Committee  of  Arrangements,  with  tlieir  Ladies.  _ 

Guests. 

Gentlemen  accompanied  by  Ladies. 

Gentlemen. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  procession  at  the  tables,  Hon.  Robert  S.  Daniels 
will  preside,  assisted  by  the  following  gentlemen  as  Vice  Presidents  : 
Rev.  Dr.  Brarnan,  Fitch  Poole,  Joshua  Silvester,  Dr.  George  Osborne, 
Moses  Black,  Jr.,  David  Daniels,  Henry  Cook,  Daniel  Richards,  Amos 
Osborn,  Charles  Lawrence,  Henry  Gardner,  Joseph  S.  Black,  Miles 
Osborn,  A.  A.  Abbott,  Otis  Mudge,  Lewis  Allen,  Philemon  Putnam, 
Benj.  Goodridge,  Jacob  F.  Perry. 

A  strong  force  of  regular  and  special  police  will  be  employed  to 
preserve  order  during  the  day  and  evening,  and  keep  the  streets  in  the 
route  of  the  procession  free  from  obstruction  by  carriages,  and  to  see 
that  the  enclosure  at  the  Institute  is  reserved. 

By  order  of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements  : 

William  Sutton,  Chief  Marshal. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  time  appointed  for  the  proposed 
Reception  and  Welcome  was  the  9th  day  of  October,  1856. 
For  many  days  previous  to  that  date,  the  inhabitants  as  well 
as  the  Committee  were  busily  employed  in  preparations  for  the 
approaching  festival. 

The  several  Schools,  the  Firemen,  the  members  of  the  dif- 
ferent Cavalcades  and  the  various  bodies  of  Marshals  were  all 
actively  employed  in  a  generous  rivalry  to  make  the  occasion 
one  which  should  be  creditable  to  themselves  and  honorable 
to  their  Guest. 


25 


THE  PROCESSION. 

The  sun  rose  on  the  9th  of  October  bright  and  beautiful. 
It  was  one  of  those  bland  Indian  Summer  days  peculiar  to 
New  England  in  the  Autumn  months,  the  serene  atmosphere 
and  clear  skies  contributing  in  no  slight  degree  to  the  pleasure 
of  the  occasion. 

At  an  early  hour  the  inhabitants  were  in  motion,  and  the 
different  branches  of  the  two  Cavalcades  proceeded  to  Maple 
Street  in  North  Danvers,  marshalled  as  follows : — 

Chief  Marshal  of  Cavalcades, 
W.  J.  C.  KENNEY. 

Aids. 
George  Porter,  Jacob  Young. 


Chief  Marshal  of  1st  Dioision,  North  Danvers^ 
Simeon  Putnam. 

Aids. 
A.  W.  Thompson,  Phineas  Corning. 

Assistant  Marshals. 

Dr.  Snow,  Charles  Smith,  Moses  Black,  Jr., 

M.  C.  Oby,  George  Tapley,  Joel  Putnam, 

M.  H.  Boardman,  G.  W.  Kenney,  E.  Webster, 

Amos  Prince,  E.  Legro,  L.  Dempsey. 


Chief  Marshal  of  2d  Division,  South  Danvers, 
John  A.  Lord. 

Aids. 

D.  W.  Osborn,  John  Pindar. 
Assistant  Marshals. 

Joseph  Fairfield,             Mark  H.  Davis,  Joseph  Morrison, 

Henry  A.  King,              Samuel  Newman,  Franklin  Osborn,  Jr. 

Benjamin  M.  Hills,         William  Perry,  Wm.  S.  Osborn, 

Thomas  W.  Osborne,     Daniel  R.  Davis,  Sylvester  Needham, 

Wm.  H.  Baldwin,           Jos.  B.  Newhall,  Mark  Merrill, 

John  G.  WolcoU,            Tyler  Mudge,  George  Taylor. 


Chief  Marshal  of  3d  Division,  Ladies''  Cavalcade, 
Edvitard  W.  Jacobs. 

Aids. 
John  B.  Clement,  George  Upton. 

Assistant  Marshals. 
Abel  J.  Proctor,  John  Moulton. 


26 

At  about  half  past  nine  o'clock  a  salute  of  one  hundred  guns 
from  a  detachment  of  artillerists,  procured  by  private  enterprise, 
announced  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Peabody  at  the  place  of  reception 
at  Maple  Street,  near  Rev.  Mr.  Fletcher's  church.  Here  he 
alighted  from  the  private  carriage  in  which  he  had  come  from 
Georgetown  in  company  with  his  two  sisters  and  a  nephew, 
and,  after  being  introduced  to  members  of  the  Committee  of 
Arrangements,  took  his  seat  in  an  elegant  barouche,  drawn  by 
six  horses,  being  accompanied  by  Hon.  Robert  S.  Daniels, 
and  Joshua  Silvester,  Esq..  Chairmen  of  the  Town  Committees, 
and  Rev.  Dr.  Braman. 

The  scene  here  was  very  beautiful.  The  spire  of  the  church 
and  private  buildings  were  gayly  dressed  with  flags  and  stream- 
ers, and  in  full  view  was  an  elegant  threefold  arch  spanning 
the  wide  street,  the  center  arch  rising  high  above  the  others, 
and  being  adorned  with  evergreens,  wreaths,  medallions,  flow- 
ers, and  flags.  At  this  point  the  barouche,  followed  by  the 
carriages  containing  the  town  authorities  and  Committee  of 
Arrangements,  came  to  a  halt,  and  Mr.  Peabody  stood  erect 
whilQ  a  photographic  artist  fixed  the  scene  on  his  plate.  This 
view  is  presented  to  the  reader  in  the  lithographic  drawing 
annexed.  A  more  full  description  of  this  arch  will  be  found 
in  its  appropriate  place. 

The  two  Cavalcades  were  in  waiting  just  below  the  arch, 
the  Ladies'  Cavalcade  being  on  the  right,  or  at  the  head  of  the 
Procession,  and  that  of  Gentlemen  in  the  rear. 

The  '•'  Ladies'  Cavalcade"  added  greatly  to  the  novelty  and 
variety  of  the  show.  The  ladies  were  uniformly  dre.ssed  with 
dark  hats  and  riding  habits,  and  their  attendants  with  caps  of 
uniform  style,  made  expressly  for  this  occasion.  Each  lady 
carried  a  fine  bouquet  of  flowers,  which  was  thrown  into  Mr. 
Peabody's  carriage  as  he  passed  alortg,  he  gracefully  acknowl- 
edging the  compliment. 

At  the  head  of  the  Gentlemen's  Cavalcade  rode  the  delega- 
tion from  "  Rockville,"  the  village  next  to  Lynn,  comprised  in 
School  District  No.  8.  This  was  a  fine  body  of  men,  uni- 
formly dressed  in  white  pantaloons  and  dark  coats.     There 


27 

was  also  a  good  delegation  from  West  Danvers,  that  portion  of 
the  town  joining  Lynnfield,  and  comprised  in  School  Districts 
Nos.  7,  9,  and  10.  They  were  designated  by  each  having  a 
small  American  Flag  attached  to  the  bridle,  on  which  were 
the  letters  W.  D. 

The  Cavalcade  was  preceded  by  a  mounted  Band  of  eight- 
een brass  instruments,  and,  as  the  cortege  took  its  line  of 
march,  the  scene  was  lively  and  animating.  The  streets  were 
thronged  with  a  moving  multitude,  on  foot  and  in  carriages, 
eager  to  obtain  a  first  sight  of  their  benefactor  and  friend.  As 
the  procession  moved  on  through  streets  lined  Avith  decorated 
houses,  and  under  waving  flags  and  triumphal  arches,  attended 
by  the  booming  of  cannon  and  strains  of  martial  music,  the 
shouts  and  salutations  of  the  people  were  gracefully  acknowl- 
edged by  Mr.  Peabody,  as  he  bowed  to  the  throng  on  either 
side. 

The  Cavalcades  and  carriages  must  have  extended  nearly  or 
quite  half  a  mile,  and,  as  the  latter  descended  the  hill  near  the 
residence  of  the  late  Capt.  Benjamin  Porter,  the  head  of  the 
procession  was  ascending  the  heights  of  Liberty  Street.  The 
scene  here  was  truly  grand  and  picturesque.  A  fine  view 
might  then  be  had  of  almost  the  whole  of  the  Cavalcade,  across 
Waters  River,  as  it  was  seen  winding  its  way,  partially  hid  by 
the  undulations  of  the  ground,  and  partly  in  full  view  of  such 
observers  as  were  towards  the  rear  of  the  procession. 

As  the  head  of  the  Cavalcade  arrived  at  Wilson's  Corner,  the 
place  where  the  full  procession  was  to  form,  it  opened  to  the 
right  and  left,  and  the  carriages  passed  through.  Here  the 
line  of  the  procession  was  found  already  formed,  the  two 
Cavalcades  remaining  in  the  rear.  As  the  barouche,  with  Mr. 
Peabody,  passed  along  the  lines  of  Military  and  Firemen,  with 
their  bright  uniforms  and  the  long  ranks  of  gayly  dressed  chil- 
dren, with  a  dense  throng  of  spectators  in  the  background,  he 
was  received  with  deafening  shouts.  On  his  first  entrance 
through  the  rustic  Arch,  at  the  head  of  the  street,  one  of  the 
bands  of  music  struck  up  "  Home,  sweet  Home,"  and  after  this 
was  through,  another  played  "God  save  the  Queen."     At  this 


28 

moment  the  pupils  of  the  Holten  High  School,  every  alternate 
scholar  holding  an  American  and  English  flag,  unrolled  and 
waved  them  in  the  air,  and  then,  in  a  moment,  the  twin  ban- 
ners of  two  powerful  and  kindred  nations  were  seen  crossing 
each  other,  as  if  in  loving  union.  This  fine  tableaux  was  hap- 
pily conceived  and  neatly  executed.  Mr.  Peabody  witnessed 
the  scene  with  deep  emotion.  The  band  then  played  "  Hail 
Columbia." 

Mr.  Peabody  now  alighted,  and,  with  other  guests,  partook 
of  the  hospitalities  of  Mr.  Miles  Osborn  at  his  new  mansion  on 
Central  Street. 

After  a  short  tarry  at  Mr.  Osborn's,  where  he  was  introduced 
to  many  of  his  friends,  Mr.  Peabody  again  entered  his  barouclie, 
accompanied  by  Messrs.  Daniels  and  Silvester,  and  Hon.  A.  A 
Abbott,  which  then  took  its  place  in  the  procession.  Another 
barouche  received  His  Excellency  Governor  Gardner  and  his 
Aids,  and  other  guests  followed  in  carriages. 

The  procession  was  formed  nearly  in  the  order  announced 
in  the  notice  of  the  Chief  Marshal.  The  fine  military  corps  of 
Independent  Cadets  appeared  in  very  full  ranks,  numbering 
over  100  muskets,  and  made  a  very  brilliant  appearance. 
They  were  accompanied  by  Gilmore's  celebrated  Band. 


FIRE   DEPARTMENT. 

Chief  Marshal, 
JOHN    V.    STEVENS. 

Aids. 
Stephen  Osborn.  Timothy  Hawkes. 

Assistant  llarshals. 
Engine  No.  2 — General  Scott — Moses  Chapman,  Eben.  Currier. 
Engine  No.  3 — Torrent — Malachi  Balchelder,  Henry  Wilson. 
Engine  No.  5 — Eagle — Andrew  J.  Burrell,  Warren  Snow. 
Engine  No.  6 — Ocean — Simeon  A.  Putnam,  William  Needham. 
Engine  No.  8 — Volunteer — William  Southwick,  William  Dodge. 

After  the  Escort  came  the  Fire  Department,  which  never 
appeared  on  a  public  occasion  in  fuller  numbers,  or  in  brighter 
array.     All  the  companies  were  well  uniformed,  and  all  but 


;i  ; 


■•     ^v= 


29 

one  in  red,  with  blue  pantaloons  and  caps  of  varied  patterns. 
One  of  the  companies  wore  a  handsome  blue  frock  coat,  neatly 
trimmed.  This  was  the  Eagle  Company,  No.  5,  and  appeared 
with  108  men,  about  half  the  number  being  volunteers  from 
the  Empire  Company  of  Lynn. 

Engine  Company  No.  2,  General  Scott,  from  Danvers  Cen- 
ter, came  first  in  order,  and  appeared  in  a  very  neat  uniform, 
with  53  members,  accompanied  by  Bond's  Cornet  Band.  Their 
Engine  was  handsomely  decorated  with  blue  and  crimson  vel- 
vet, with  a  border  of  gold  and  silver  lace,  together  with  an 
arch  containing  31  silver  stars,  the  American  and  English  flags 
waving  on  either  side. 

The  "  Torrent"  Engine,  No.  3,  located  at  Wilson's  Corner, 
or  Pine  Tree,  was  present  with  43  members,  handsomely  uni- 
formed with  red  jackets  and  blue  pants,  and  glazed  caps. 
They  were  accompanied  by  two  musicians.  Their  machine 
was  gayly  decorated. 

Eagle  Engine  Company,  No.  5,  whose  Enginehouse  is  near 
the  Peabody  Institute,  appeared  with  50  of  its  own  members, 
exclusive  of  volunteers,  in  a  neat  uniform  of  blue,  with  fire- 
men's caps.     They  had  three  musicians. 

The  "  Ocean,"  No.  6,  came  with  45  members,  accompanied 
by  the  Beverly  Band.  They  wore  red  shirts,  with  dark  pants, 
■^and  uniform  caps.     This  Company  is  from  Danversport. 

The  "  General  Foster"  Engine  Company,  No.  7,  appeared 
with  59  members,  and  two  musicians.  Their  dress  was  a  red 
jacket,  with  dark  pantaloons,  and  a  blue  cap  with  a  red  band. 
This  Company  is  located  in  South  Danvers,  near  the  Square, 
and  its  number  has  recently  been  changed  to  No.  2. 

Volunteer  Company,  No.  8,  also  of  South  Danvers,  is  located 
at  the  corner  of  Grove  and  Main  Streets,  near  the  Salem  line. 
Its  number  has  lately  been  changed  to  No.  4.  It  appeared  on 
this  occasion  with  60  members,  and  Hall's  Band  of  Boston, 
with  17  brass  instruments. 

Their  Engine  made  a  gay  appearance,  being  newly  polished 
and  varnished,  and  furnished  with  new  leading  ropes  for  this 
occjision. 


30 

It  should  be  remarked,  in  acknowledgment  of  the  zeal  and 
public  spirit  of  the  Firemen,  that  the  three  full  bands  of  music 
and  other  detached  musicians  were  procured  at  the  expense  of 
the  different  Companies,  and,  although  a  Band  was  tendered 
to  the  Department  by  the  Committee,  the  firemen  generously 
yielded  it  up  to  the  Chief  Marshal,  to  be  used  in  another  part 
of  the  procession. 

The  civic  part  of  the  procession,  consisting  of  the  Committee 
of  Arrangements,  the  Municipal  Authorities  of  the  two  towns, 
and  the  Trustees  and  Lyceum  and  Library  Committee  of  the 
Peabody  Institute,  preceded  the  guests  on  foot. 

The  two  barouches,  containing  Mr.  Peabody  and  the  Gov- 
ernor of  the  Commonwealth,  with  their  several  associates,  were 
followed  by  other  carriages  filled  with  gentlemen  invited  by 
the  Committee. 


THE    SCHOOLS. 

Next  in  order  came  the  Public  Schools.  This  most  inter- 
esting and  attractive  display  of  more  than  Seventeen  Hundred 
happy  children,  dressed  in  their  gayest  apparel,  their  faces 
radiant  with  joy,  singing  and  shouting  their  welcomes  to  one 
they  had  been  taught  to  esteem  as  their  special  benefactor, 
was  a  spectacle  that  could  not  but  touch  the  hearts  of  all.  All 
of  them  wore  on  their  breasts  the  Peabody  Badge,  containing 
his  portrait,  and.  as  a  motto,  his  world-renowned  sentiment. 
Some  of  them  also  wore  his  own  gift,  the  "  Peabody  Medal," 
as  rewards  of  distinguished  merit.  Others  were  there  who, 
year  after  year,  are  striving,  with  the  impulse  of  a  generous 
emulation,  to  deserve  and  obtain  it.  We  could  almost  envy 
those  who  so  proudly  bore  on  that  day  this  mark  of  honorable 
distinction. 

Feeling  that  no  description  would  do  justice  to  this  very 
interesting  part  of  the  pageant,  we  shall  only  present  a  skele- 
ton account  of  the  various  schools,  with  the  mottoes  on  the 
banners,  and  the  names  of  the  teachers  and  marshals : — 


31 

Chief  Marshal   for  Schools, 

AMOS  MERRILL. 

Aids. 
Alfred  McKenzip:,  Moses  Currier, 

Isaac   Hardy,  Jr.,  Edward  Hutchinson. 

Assistant  Marshals. 
Peabody  High  School — Richard  Smith,  J.  W.  Colcord. 
Hohen  High  School — Nath'l  Hills,  John  A.  Learoyd. 
District  No.    1 — Wm.  N.  Lord,  Dennis  Moore,  Charles  E.  Brown, 

L.  P.  Brickett,  Moses  K.  Sawyer. 
District  No.  2 — Jos   Merrill,  E.  T.  Waldron,  John  Hincs,  Richard 

Hood,    Putnam  Webb,    Henry  Fowler,    Benj. 

Young,  Charles  McTntire,  John  EUioU. 
District  No.    3 — John  A.  Sears,  Thomas  M.  Putnam. 
District  No.    4 — Caleb  S.  Brown,  Daniel  M.  Very. 
District  No.    5 — J.  P.  Goodale,    Henry  O.   Wiley,    F.    E.   Pope, 

Porter  Nason. 
District  No.   6 — 
District  No.    7 — Beman  Viles. 
District  No.    8 — George  Maddin,  Chas.  B.  Warner,  Daniel  Stone, 

Adino  Page. 
District  No.   9— H.  D.  Twiss. 
District  No.  10— John  Smith. 
District  No.  11— S.  N.  Mahew,   Wm.    S.  Ladd,   Thomas   Wright, 

Edward  Giddings,  Samuel  Swett,  M.  S.  Clark. 
District  No.  12 — Joshua  Buxten,  Jr.,  A.  C.  Osborn,  Wm.  Wolcott, 

O.  S.  Butler,  B.  F.  Haskell. 
District  No.  13 — Thomas  Burnett,  John  Proctor,  C.  Melvin. 
District  No.  14 — J.  L.  Peabody,  Andrew  Cook,  John  White,  Tho's 

G.  Howell. 

The  Marshals  were  assisted  in  the  care  of  the  pupils  by  La- 
dies selected  for  that  purpose  from  the  several  Districts,  who 
rendered  essential  service. 


PEABODY  HIGH  SCHOOL. 

This  school  numbered  45  scholars,  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  J.  W. 
Colcord  and  Miss  L.  R.  Wright.  First  came  the  boys  carrying  a  rich 
silk  .banner,  green  and  white,  handsomely  fringed — on  one  side  was 
inscribed  the  motto, — 

"Education,  a  Debt  due  from  Present  to  Future  Genekations." 

On  obverse  side, — 

Peabody  High  School, 
South  Dan  vers,  founded  1850. 

Also  four  small  banners,  representing  Agriculture,  Commerce,  Manu- 
factures, and  the  Mechanic  Arts.  Thirty-one  young  ladies  dressed  in 
white,  wearing  green  hats  with  silver  stars  on  the  rim,  with  an  American 


32 

flag  worn  as  a  scarf,  representing  the  States  of  the  Union,  each  carry-, 
ing  on  a  .siiield  the  coat  of  arms  of  the  State  represented.     Three  young 
ladies  represented  England,  Ireland,  and  Scotland,  being  dressed  in  the 
national  costume  of  those  countries.     The  effect  was  very  beautiful. 


HOLTEN  HIGH  SCHOOL. 

Tliis  school  presented  a  brilliant  appearance.  Their  tasteful  and 
elegant  costume  was  universally  admired.  The  young  ladies  were 
attired  in  black  waists  and  white  skirts,  with  scarlet  trimmings  ;  their 
heads  were  uncovered,  and  their  hair  elegantly  dressed  with  velvet  and 
flowers.  The  lads  were  distinguished  by  a  red  sash,  which,  passing 
over  the  left  shoulder,  was  tied  under  the  right  arm,  and  on  which  the 
Peabody  badge  appeared  conspicuous.  As  Mr.  Peabody  approached, 
each  unfurled  a  flag  not  till  then  displayed  ;  and,  being  8*0  arranged  that 
the  American  and  English  colors  alternated,  the  effect  was  very  fine 
when,  in  honor  of  their  transatlantic  guest,  the  two  w'erc  crossed,  and, 
throughout  their  ranks,  the  stars  and  stripes  mingled  with  the  British 
cross.     Their  banner  presented  on  one  side, 

"  HoLTEN  High  School,  Danvers.     We  welcome  ouk  Bexefactor  ;" 
ajid  on  the  reverse — 

"  One  Generation  shall  Praise  thy  WoRKf<  to  another." 


DISTRICT    NUMBER   ONE. 

Schools  from  District  No.  1,  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  L.  P. 
Brlckett,  Miss  M.  L.  Shattuck,  Miss  S.  H.  Burt,  Miss  M.  B.  Harrington 
and  Miss  Helen  Aborn.  243  scholars  were  in  the  procession  from  this 
school  district.  Boys  wearing  caps  ;  girls,  hats,  trimmed  with  blue  rib- 
bon, arranged  as  follows — first, 

Boys  of  Grammar  School,  with  a  superb  silk  banner,  blue  and  white, 
with  the  mottoes, 

"  Common  Schools.     The  Tree  which   our   Fathers   planted,  wk  will 

Nourish  and  Protect." 

"True  Merit  our  onlt  Claim  to  Distinction." 

On  reverse  side, 

"Education,  the  Keystone  in  the  Arch  of  Freedom." 

Girls  of  Grammar  School. 

Boys  of  Wallis  School,  carrying  a  banner,  with  the  motto, 

"  The  Wallis  School,  a  Standing  Light  for  this  and  fdtobb 
Generations." 
Girls  of  Wallis  School. 

Primary  School,  in  a  handsome  carriage  beautifully  decorated  with 
evergreen,  drawn  by  four  horses.  Tn  the  carriage  was  a  banner,  with 
the  motto, 

"  Wk  comb  forth  from  our  Happy  Homes  and  Schools  of  Lkarktiko,  to 
Greet  our  Benefactor." 


33 

DISTRICT   NUMBER   TWO. 

District  No.  2.  Danversport  Grammar  School,  taught  by  A.  W. 
Mack,  principal,  with  Aseneth  A.  Sawyer,  assistant.  80  pupils  repre- 
sented this  school  in  the  procession,  with  a  beautiful  banner,  inscribed 
with  the  motto, 

"We  owe  him  Gratitude; 
We  will  not  Repudiate  our  Debt." 

Primary  School,  No.  1.  This  school  has  been  under  the  charge 
of  Miss  Sarah  A.  Osgood,  about  fourteen  years,  to  the  entire  satisfac- 
tion of  the  District.  57  of  her  charge  rode  in  a  carriage  drawn  by 
four  fine  looking  bay  horses. 

Primary  No.  2,  kept   by  Miss  Frances  A.  Bomer,  sent  38  children, 
also  in  a  carriage  drawn  by  four  noble  bays. 
The  banner  of  Primary  No.  1,  had  this  motto, 

"  The  Descendants  in  '56, 
Of  the  Patriots  of  '76." 

On  the  banner  of  Primary  No.  2,  was  the  motto, 

"  Honor  to  Whom  Honor  is  due." 


DISTRICT  NUMBER  THREE. 

School  District  No.  3  was  represented  by  37  scholars,  with  their 
teacher,  Mrs.  Lydia  S.  Putnam,  all  riding  in  one  carriage,  (a  barge  on 
wheels,)  drawn  by  four  horses. 

There  were  two  banners;  on  the  first  was 

"Pctnamville,  No.  3,  Danvers  ;" 

On  the  reverse,  in  a  wreath  of  evergreen, 

"  Welcome  ;  " 

all  wrought  in  evergreen   with   border  of  the   same.     On  the  second, 
with  green  ground  with  gilt  letters  and  border,  was 

"  We  greet  Thee  with  Joy." 
On  the  reverse, 

"  Our  Benefactor." 


DISTRICT   NUMBER  FOUR. 

The  Banner  of  District  No.  4  was  of  white  cambric,  bordered  with 
evergreen  and  myrtle.  On  the  lower  part  was  the  representation  of  a 
Primary  and  High  School,  encircled  with  the  leaves  and  fruit  of  the 
mitchella.     Above,  was  the  motto, 

"He  leads  to  pleasant  Fountains," 

surrounding  the  likeness  of  Mr.  Peabody,  beautifully  wreathed  with  myr- 
tle.    On  the  other  side  of  the  banner  was 

"  DiaiBicT  No.  4,  DAMVfiBe." 


34 

Thirty-two    scholars,    under    Miss   S.    E.   Simonds,    teacher.      The 
scholars  had  each  a  bouquet  of  flowers. 


DISTRICT  NUMBER  FIVE. 

The  Wadsworth  School  District  No.  5,  Danvers,*  taught  by 
A.  J.  Demeritt  and  E.  F.  Towne,  comprising  120  pupils,  formed  no 
unimportant  feature  in  the  procession.  Their  unii"ormity  of  dress  and 
orderly  deportment  could  not  fail  to  make  an  impression.  Neither 
could  we  discover  any  traces  of  that  once  prevalent  delusion  common 
in  "•  Salem  Village,"  amid  the  happy  band. 

The  leading  feature  of  this  school  was  a  banner,  designed  and  exe- 
cuted by  two  young  gentlemen,  former  pupils  of  the  school,  which,  for 
taste,  style,  and  beauty  of  execution,  was  unsurpassed  by  any  in  the 
procession.  On  the  front,  which  was  a  white  ground,  was  the  single 
word  in  German  text,  of  scarlet  and  silver, 

"  Welcome." 
On  the  reverse,  a  blue  ground, 

"  Wadsworth  School,  5." 

The  Grammar  School,  numbering  80,  followed  on  foot.  The  masters 
attired  in  their  usual  costume  ;  the  misses  dressed  in  white ;  the  first 
and  second  classes  with  hats  trimmed  with  cherry ;  the  third  and  fourth 
were  trimmed  with  pink,  each  scholar  carrying  a  bouquet,  which  was 
gracefully  thrown  into  the  carriage,  or  strewn  in  the  path  of  their 
benefactor. 

The  Primary  School,  containing  40  pupils,  arrayed  in  the  same 
attire  as  the  Grammar  School  which  preceded  them,  rode  in  a  car- 
riage, simply  ornamented  with  evergi'cen  and  flowers. 


DISTRICT  NUMBER  SIX. 
Next  in  order  came  the  School  from  District  No.  6,  under  the  charge 
of  E.  J.  Swett,  numbering  45  scholars ;  the  boys  bearing  a  handsome 
silk  banner,  with  the  motto, 

"  We  still  live  to  Learn." 


DISTRICTS  NUMBERS  SEVEN  AND  NINE. 
These  were  followed   by  the  Schools  Nos.  7  and  9,  united.     No.  7, 
numbering  51  pupils,  taught  by  Mary  B.  Hawkes.     No.  9,  12  pupils. 
No.  7  carried  a  very  neat  banner,  with  the  inscription 

"  Welcome  Home." 

• 

♦  This  District  is  full  of  historic  interest.  It  was  here  the  first  settlement  of  the 
town  l)egan.  Tlie  first  church  was  established  on  the  spot  now  occupied  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Braman's  society,  and  near  this  ancient  and  hallowed  site  that  fatal  delu- 
sion of  the  seventeenth  century  had  its  origin.  The  ancient  landmarks  and  tokens 
of  a  former  generation  point  to  this  place  as  having  been  among  the  earlier  settle- 
ments of  the  country. 

In  times  past,  as  in  the  present,  the  Professions  have  here  been  represented  bj 
men  of  distinguished  learning  and  ability ;  among  the  former  are  the  names  w 
Holtea  and  Wadsworth,  men  eminent  in  their  day  and  profession. 


35 

No.  7  enclosed  with  31  stars.     Underneath,  the  words 

"  Onward  and  Upward." 
On  reverse  side, 

"  In  God  we  trust.     We  rejoice  to  Greet  yod."  # 

The  lettering  and  stars  in  gold  leaf.  The  girls  wore  straw  hats, 
trimmed  with  a  wreath  of  evergreen,  carrying  a  bouquet  of  flowers^ 
Boys,  each  with  a  national  flag. 


DISTRICT  NUMBER  EIGHT. 

No.  8,  numbering  130  scholars,  comprising  Grammar  School,  under 
the  charge  of  Charles  B.  Warren  ;  First  Primary,  taught  by  Miss  B.  B'. 
Davis  ;  Boston  Road  Primary,  taught  by  Sarah  F.  Davis.  The  boys  of 
these  Schools  wore  black  clothing,  and  caps  uniformly  trimmed  with 
evergreen.  The  girls  were  dressed  in  white,  with  straw  hats  trimmed 
with  evergreen.     This  is  called  the  Rocks  District. 

Arranged,  1st,  Boys  of  Grammar  School,  carrying  a  silk  banner 
with  a  handsome  fringe,  white  on  one  side,  with  the  word  "  Rocks"  on 
the  center.     On  the  reverse,  blue,  with  the  mottoes — 

•' Progress,  the  Spirit  of  odr  Fathers  ;  let  ns  continue  to  revere  it." 

On  reverse, 

"Industry,   Knowledge.    Knowledge,   toe  Pcwer  which  Moves  thb 

World." 

2d.     Girls  of  Grammar  School. 
3d,     Boys  of  Primary  School. 
4th.    Girls  of  Primary  School. 
Banner, 

"  We  kid  you  Welcome." 

On  the  reverse, 

"  Education,  the  Foundation  of  true  Merit." 


DISTRICT  NUMBER  TEN. 

Next  in  order  was  the  School  from  District  No.  10,  numbei'ing  30 
scholars,  taught  by  E.  Newhall.  Girls  with  pink  hats  and  sashes ; 
boys  with  pink  sashes,  carrying  a  very  neat  and  attractive  banner, 
handsomely  inscribed  with  the  words, 

"  We  come  small  in  Numbers,  but  with  Hearts  large  with  Gratitude." 

On  reverse  side, 

"  Welcome,  thrice  Welcome,  to  your  Native  Town." 


DISTRICT  NUMBER  ELEVEN. 

District  No.  11.     The  Grammar  School,  in  charge  of  Mr.  W.  S.  Ladd 
and  Miss  P.  Necdham,  the  Intermediate  of  Julia  A.  Page  and  Miss  A, 


36 

Preston  ;  Primary,  Miss  E.  A.  Richardson  ;  number  in  procession,  240 
pupils.  Boys  wearing  caps,  dark  pants  and  jackets ;  girls  with  hats, 
trimmed  with  crimson  ribbon. 

First  came  the  boys  of  the  Grammar  School,  carrying  a  teautiful 
silk  banner,  crimson  and  white,  with  gold  colored  fringe.  On  one  side 
the  words, 

"  We  will  pat  the  Debt." 

On  reverse  side,  the  Peabody  coat-of-arms.  These  were  followed 
by  Girls  of  Grammar  School,  Boys  of  Intermediate,  Girls  of  Interme- 
diate, and  closed  by  the  Primary  School  in  a  splendid  barge,  drawn  by 
si.x  horses.  This  was  a  superb  carriage,  and  this  occasion  the  first 
time  of  its  being  used.  It  was  a  marked  feature  in  the  procession.  A 
representation  of  it  may  be  seen  in  the  lithographed  view  of  the  Pea- 
body  Institute. 

DISTRICT  NUMBER  TWELVE. 

No,  12,  numbering  113  scholars;  the  Grammar  School,  taught  by 
John  F.  Chase ;  Primary,  Julia  A.  Smith.  The  Boys  wore  caps 
trimmed  with  blue  ribbon  ;  Girls,  while  muslin  hats  and  blue  ribbon. 

The  Boys  of  Grammar  School  carried  a  splendid  silk  banner,  with 
the  inscription, 

"The  Goest  of  South  Danvers,  George  Peabodt  of  London,  onob  thb 
Boy  of  Free  Schools,  now  their  Noble  Benefactor." 

On  reverse  side, 

"  Despise  not  the  Day  of  Small  Beginnings. 
Central  Street,  No.  12." 

The  Primary  School  rode  in  a  handsome  boat  carriage,  drawn  by 
four  hcffses. 


DISTRICT  NUMBER  THIRTEEN. 

Danvers,  No.  13,  Primary  School,  70  scholars,  in  two  large  car- 
riages, tastefully  ornamented.  In  the  center  of  their  banner  was  an 
engraved  likeness  of  Mr.  Peabody,  encircled  with  a  beautiful  wreath, 
surrounding  which  was  the  motto, 

"  We  will  try  to  be  like  Him." 
Intermediate  School,  58  scholars,  on  foot.     More  than  half  of  them 
were   Girls,  each  of  whom  carried   a  beautiful    bouquet,  which  they 
threw  into  Mr.  Peabody's  carriage  when  he  passed  them.     Their  ban- 
ner, silver  letters  on  a  crimson  ground.     Motto, 

"Honor  to  w^hom  Honor  is  doe." 
Grammar  School,  68  scholars,  on  foot,  with  a  blue  banner,   richly 
gilded.     Motto, 

"Her  Distinguished  Sons  and  her  Brightest  Ornaments." 

Teacher  of  Primary  School,  Miss  S.  Dodge. 

"         "  Intermediate  School,     "     H.  Pope. 
"         "  Grammar  School,  "     C.  Melvin. 

"        "  Holten  High  School,     "     N.  Hills. 


37 

DISTRICT  NUMBER  FOURTEEN. 

School  District  No.  14,  of  Danvers,  was  represented  by  about  200 
children,  in  two  divisions,  of  which  the  Grammar  School  formed  one, 
and  the  Primary  School  the  other. 

The  last  division  occupied  a  large  carriage,  provided  and  fitted  up 
for  the  occasion.  In  an  arch  that  crowned  the  front  of  the  carriage 
appeared  in  golden  letters,  the  word 

"  Welcome  ;" 
while  each  side  was  adorned  with  appropriate  mottoes. 

Each  division,  also,  bore  a  tasteful  banner,  inscribed  with  mottoes 
and  devices.     The  motto  of  the  Grammar  School  was 

"  He  that  ceeatetii  Good  Will  between    Nations   shall  be  exaltbi> 

AMONG  HIS  People  ;" 
and  on  the  reverse, 

"  Grammar  School,  No.  14,  Danvexs." 

The  banner  of  the  Primary  School  contained  the  motto, 

"Honor  to  the  Pacificator  of  Nations;" 

and  the  reverse, 

"  Primary  School,  No.  14,  Danvers." 

Grammar  School.  Primary  School. 

Miss  Mehitable  Barker,  Teacher.  Miss  M.  E.  Howes,  Teacher. 

"    Augusta  Brown,  " 

The  Procession,  as  thus  constituted,  proceeded  on  its  route, 
which  was  extended  to  the  old  Salem  line,  and  countermarched 
at  the  Elm  tree  on  Boston  Street,  which  has  so  long  been  a 
noted  landmark  between  the  two  towns.  The  procession,  on 
its  march,  was  more  than  a  mile  in  length.  We  have  attempt- 
ed to  give,  in  detail,  an  account  of  the  public  and  private  dec- 
orations on  the  route,  but  this  can  give  but  a  very  inadequate 
idea  of  their  effect  to  an  observer  in  connection  with  the 
throngs  of  people  in  the  streets,  at  the  windows  and  balconies 
of  the  houses,  and  even  on  the  housetops,  while  the  procession 
was  passing.  Those  who  were  the  witnesses  of  the  pageant 
may  recall  to  mind  the  "pomp  and  circumstance,"  as  well  as 
the  deeper  emotions  of  sincere  gratitude  which  marked  the  oc- 
casion. Those  who  were  absent  may  only  imagine  the  pic- 
ture presented  by  our  gayly-dressed  village,  whose  whole  pop- 
ulation came  out  in  their  best  attire,  with  beaming  eyes  and 
jubilant  shouts,  to  greet  their  long-absent  townsman.  They 
must    fancy  the  moving  throngs,  the    dancing    plumes,   the 


38 

waving  banners,  the  martial  music,  the  floating  pennons,  and 
triumphal  arches.  They  must  also  picture  our  illustrious  guest, 
the  cynosure  of  all  eyes,  the  admiration  of  all  hearts,  as  with 
dignity  and  grace  he  receives  this  tribute  of  a  grateful  people. 

Nor  was  this  moving  multitude  confined  to  our  own  limited 
boundaries.  Thousands  of  strangers  from  the  neighboring 
cities  and  towns  thronged  our  streets  to  swell  the  exultant 
shouts  of  welcome  to  one  whose  name  is  wider  known  as  a 
pacificator  between  the  people  of  distant  but  kindred  nations, 
than  as  a  benefactor  of  the  place  of  his  birth.  Hundreds  were 
here,  drawn  from  distant  cities,  as  well  by  personal  obligation 
to  him  fo»'  his  hospitalities,  as  by  his  renown  as  an  American 
merchant  of  elevated  standing  in  the  world's  commercial  me- 
tropolis. The  number  present,  including  our  own  citizens,  as 
participators  in  or  spectators  of  the  pageant,  is  variously  esti- 
mated at  from  20  to  30,000  persons. 


EXERCISES  AT  THE  PEABODY  INSTITUTE. 

As  the  procession  approached  the  Institute  where  the  public 
exercises  of  welcome  were  to  take  place,  the  military  and  mar- 
shals cleared  an  open  space  in  front  of  tlie  building,  and  the 
Firemen  opening  their  ranks,  the  procession  passed  between 
them,  the  Committee  and  their  guests  occupying  the  elevated 
platform,  and  the  Schools  the  enclosed  grounds  of  the  Insti- 
tute. Previous  to  ascending  the  platform,  Mr.  Peabody  called 
at  the  residence  of  Eben  Sutton,  Esq.,  which  is  nearly  oppo- 
site, and  there  met  Mr.  Everrtt.  The  meeting  of  these  distin- 
guished men,  whose  intimate  mutual  friendship  continued  dur- 
ing the  whole  period  of  Mr.  Everett's  diplomatic  career  in 
London,  was  a  warm  and  hearty  greeting,  and  one  of  the 
pleasant  incidents  of  the  occasion. 

After  the  guests  had  taken  their  places  on  the  platform,  and 
order  had  been  restored  in  the  dense  multitude  before  it,  Hon. 
Alfred  A.  Abbott  rose,  and  delivered  the  Address  of  Welcome, 
as  follows : — 


39 


ALFRED  A.  ABBOTT'S  ADDRESS. 

Friends  and  Fellow-Citizens  : — 

In  behalf  of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements  of  the  towns  of 
Danvers  and  South  Danvers,  I  greet  you  !  This  great  multi- 
tude, old  men  and  young  men,  matrons  and  maidens,  the  chil- 
dren from  our  schools,  the  strangers  that  are  within  our  gates, 
I  greet  you  all  !  Pleasantly  this  October  sun  smiles  down 
upon  our  festival,  and  everything  around  seems  hopeful  and 
auspicious.  May  the  end  crown  the  work,  and  may  this  day's 
proceedings  prove  not  only  grateful  to  the  heart  of  him  whom 
we  desire  to  honor,  but  promote  the  happiness  and  joy  of  all ! 

A  few  weeks  since,  information  was  received  that  Mr. 
George  Peabody  of  London  was  about  to-  revisit  his  native 
country.  Whatever  emotions  may  have  been  excited  else- 
where by  this  news,  there  was  no  place  where  the  feeling  was 
so  ardent,  so  deep,  so  spontaneous  as  here.  In  the  first  place 
we  shared,  equally,  at  least  with  others,  the  general  respect  for 
his  public  character  and  private  virtues.  With  at  least  equal 
admiration  we  looked  upon  a  long  career  of  patient,  persever- 
ing, successful  effort,  and  over  a  whole  life  illuminated  by  the 
light  of  manly  honor  and  christian  charity.  With  certainly  as 
much  of  patriotic  pride  we  regarded  that  constant  endeavor  to 
vindicate  the  honor  of  our  country  in  foreign  lands,  to  sustain 
the  credit  of  the  States,  to  make  the  American  name  respecta- 
ble abroad,  and  those  unceasing  labors,  successful  above  aught 
that  diplomacy  or  arms  could  accomplish,  to  strengthen  the 
bonds  of  fellowsliip  and  love  between  two  great  and  kindred 
nations,  whose  true  interests  and  dearest  hopes  are  and  must 
forever  be  identical  and  one. 

But  there  was  something  above  and  beyond  all  this,  and  pe- 
culiar, fellow-citizens,  to  us.  Here  was  Mr.  Peabody's  home. 
Here  slumbered  the  honored  dust  of  his  fathers.  Here,  "  na- 
tive and  to  the  manor  born,"  he  passed  his  youth  and  the 
pleasant  days  of  his  early  life.  Here  were  many  of  those  who 
had  been  his  school-fellows  and  playmates.  And  when  young 
ambition,  and  devotion  to  those   whom  misfortune  had  made 


40 

his  dependents,  and  the  first  stirrings  of  that  great  energy,  al- 
ready indicating  the  future  triumph,  led  him  forth  to  other 
and  broader  fields  of  labor,  (he  eyes  of  his  townsmen,  like  their 
prayers  and  best  wishes,  followed  him  ;  and  from  that  day  to 
this,  the  events  of  his  life  and  his  whole  career  have  been  a 
part  of  the  public  and  most  treasured  property  of  the  town. 
And  all  along,  what  returns  have  there  been  and  how  warmly 
has  this  regard  been  reciprocated.  There  has  been  no  time 
when  we  have  not  been  in  George  Peabody's  debt.  Separated 
from  us  by  the  wide  ocean,  living  amid  the  whirl  and  roar  of 
the  world's  metropolis,  engrossed  with  the  weightiest  concerns, 
flattered  and  caressed  by  the  titled  and  the  great,  that  "  heart, 
untravelled,'*  has  yet  clung  steadfast  to  its  early  love.  While, 
wherever  his  lot  has  been  cast,  every  worthy  object  of  charity 
and  every  beneficent  enterprise  has  received  his  ready  aid,  in 
an  especial  manner  has  he  remembered  and  endowed  us. 
When  fire  desolated  our  village  and  swept  away  the  sacred 
house  where  in  childhood  he  listened  to  those  truths  which 
have  been  the  guide  and  solace  of  maturer  years,  he  helped  to 
rebuild  the  rafters,  and  point  again  the  spire  to  heaven.  When 
a  pious  local  pride  would 'rear  an  enduring  monument  to  the 
memory  of  our  fathers,  who  fell  in  the  first  fight  of  the  Revo- 
lution, it  was  his  bounty,  although  he  lived  beneath  the  very 
shadow  of  the  crown  from  which  that  revolution  snatched  its 
brightest  jewel,  that  assisted  in  raising  the  granite  pile,  and 
transmitting  to  future  ages  the  names  and  heroic  deeds  of  our 
venerated  martyrs.  So  when,  advancing  a  new  step  in  the 
cause  of  public  education,  this  town  established  two  High 
Schools  for  the  better  culture  of  its  youth,  it  was  his  untiring 
generosity  that  awoke  new  life,  and  kindled  fresh  desire  for 
knowledge,  by  ordaining  a  system  of  prize  medals,  carefully 
discriminating  and  judicious,  and  which  will  embalm  his  name 
in  the  aff"ections  of  unborn  generations  of  youthful  scholars. 
And  lastly,  when,  four  year  ago,  the  town  of  Danvers  celebrat- 
ed the  Centenary  of  its  municipal  life,  it  was  the  same  con- 
stant, faithful  friend  that  sent  to  our  festival  that  noble  senti- 
ment, "  Education — a  debt  due  from  present  to  future  genera- 


m 

tions," — and,  in  paynnent  of  his  share  of  that  debt,  gave  "  to 
the  inhabitants  of  the  town,"  a  mnnificent  sum  "for  the  pro- 
motion of  knowledge  and  morality  among  them."  Since  that 
day  his  bounty  has  not  spared,  but  has  flowed  forth  unceasing- 
ly, until  the  original  endowment  has  been  more  than  doubled, 
and  until  here,  upon  this  spot,  is  founded  an  Institution  of 
vast  immediate  good,  and  whose  benefits  and  blessings  for 
future  years,  and  upon  the  generations  yet  to  come,  no  man 
can  measure. 

Such  are  some  of  the  reasons  why  the  news  of  Mr.  Pea- 
body's  contemplated  visit  to  this  country  was  received  with 
peculiar  emotions  here, — why  every  heart  was  warmed, — why 
all  the  people  with  one  accord  desired  to  see  his  face  and  hear 
his  voice, — and  why  the  towns  of  Danvers  and  South  Dan- 
vers,  in  their  corporate  capacities  and  in  obedience  to  the  pop- 
ular will,  extended  to  him,  on  his  arrival  upon  our  shores,  an 
invitation  to  visit  their  borders.  That  invitation  he  accepted. 
Denying  all  others  he  cheerfully  embraced  this.  And  now, 
to-day,  we  have  come  forth  to  meet  and  greet  him.  And  to- 
day he  has  come — and  here  he  stands,  our  distingnished 
countryman,  our  beloved  townsman,  our  noble  benefactor  and 
friend ! 

And  now,  Sir,  what  shall  I  say  to  you?  and  how  shall  I 
declare  the  sentiments  and  express  the  feelings  of  those  in 
whose  behalf  I  speak?  Look  upon  the  scene  before  you! 
This  great  throng,  ready  to  break  into  tumult  with  joy,  yet 
calm  with  the  stillness  of  deep  emotion, — these  thousands  of 
uplifted  faces,  every  countenance  radiant  and  beaming,  as  every 
heart  is  throbbing,  Avith  gratitude  and  love, — this  and  these 
are  more  expressive  than  any  words  of  mine,  and  silence  on 
my  part  would  be  more  eloquent  than  speech.  The  mo  t  that 
I  can  do.  Sir,  is  to  bid  you  welcome !  And  how  feeble 
seems  the  utterance  of  the  mere  word  in  contrast  with  the 
living  realization  of  its  deep  meaning.  From  the  moment  you 
came  within  our  limits  to  this  hour,  in  every  street,  at  every 
corner,  at  almost  every  dwelling,  and  in  every  face,  you  have 
witnessed  its  expression.     And  although,  Sir,  we  are  unable 


42 

to  display  the  pomp  of  great  cities  or  royal  pageantry,  yet  I 
doubt  not  that  the  honest  affection  which  has  prompted  our 
humble  endeavors  has  touched  the  manly,  loving  heart  which 
no  rude  conflicts  with  the  world  have  been  able  to  harden,  and 
which  beats  alike  and  ever  true  within  the  courts  of  kings 
and  in  its  humble  village  home. 

You  cannot,  Sir,  as  you  have  passed  along,  have  failed  to 
notice  the  changes  which  have  taken  place  in  our  midst  during 
the  twenty  years  of  your  absence.  Wonderful  as  has  been 
the  progress  of  the  whole  country  in  material  prosperity,  there 
are  few  places  which  have  advanced  so  steadily  and  rapidly  as 
your  native  town.  In  all  that  goes  to  make  up  a  prosperous 
and  thriving  community,  its  growth  has  been  constant  and 
great.  Its  population  and  valuation  have  increased  nearly 
three-fold,  and  the  wealth  of  which  this  valuation  is  but  a 
modest  estimate,  is  generally,  with  substantial  equality,  dif- 
fused. There  is  here  no  necessary  poverty  or  want.  Industry 
is  sure  to  win  success,  and  labor  to  receive  a  just  reward.  All 
enjoy  in  a  good  degree  the  common  comforts  of  life,  and  con- 
tent and  hapj)iness  dwell  within  our  borders.  And  all  this  is 
because  moral  and  intellectual  progress  have  kept  pace  with 
material  advancement.  Religion  and  education  have  gone  on 
hand  in  hand,  and  our  whole  favored  New  England  does  not 
boast  a  more  virtuous  and  intelligent  people. 

You  cannot.  Sir,  but  have  felt,  as  we  too  sadly  feel,  that 
there  have  been  other  changes.  Time,  while  it  ripens,  leads 
also  to  decay.  Such  is  our  mortal  life  that  there  is  no  cup  of 
joy  that  is  not  dashed  with  tears.  Many  of  those,  the  friends 
of  your  youth;  and  the  loved  ones  of  early  days,  whose  eyes 
desired  this  sight,  whose  voices  would  have  led  our  welcome, 
and  whose  arms  would  have  been  extended  to  embrace  you, 
have  passed  away.  Within  sight  of  where  we  now  stand 
dwelt  him  who  was  your  earliest  patron  and  friend, — who  to 
the  end  of  his  life  walked  uprightly  before  God  and  man, — 
whose  treasured  joy  it  was  that  in  your  exalted  prosperity  he 
still  retained  your  afljectionate  regard,  and  who.  bending  be- 
neath the  burden  of  nearly  fourscore  years,  went  down  to  the 


43 

grave  invoking  blessings  on  your  head.  Nor  can  I  forget  to- 
day that  distinguished  citizen,  that  noble  man,  who,  wlien  the 
foundations  of  this  edifice  were  laid,  helped  place  the  corner- 
stone, and  standing  here  before  our  people  as  your  familiar 
friend,  poured  forth  a  tribute  of  praise  that  gave  a  new  im- 
pulse to  the  love  we  bore  you,  and  endeared  him  forever  in 
our  hearts.  He,  too,  has  gone, — but  the  memory  of  Abbott 
Lawrence  will  live  so  long  as  honorable  deeds,  and  manly  vir- 
tues, and  christian  charity  are  treasured  among  men. 

As  the  hour  hastens  on  there  are  many  thoughts  of  mingled 
joy  and  sadness  which  throng  upon  the  mind,  but  for  me  to 
unfold  which  neither  the  occasion  would  justify,  nor  time 
permit, 

I  must  close,  Sir,  where  I  began,  by  bidding  you,  in  the 
name  and  on  behalf  of  those  whom  I  represent,  a  hearty  web 
come ! 

I  welcome  you  to  your  native  town,  to  the  place  of  your 
birth,  to  the  abode  of  your  youth,  to  the  ground  sacred  as  the 
repository  of  precious  dust,  to  the  spot  hallowed  by  all  the 
tender  ties  and  touching  associations  of  family  and  home  ! 

I  welcome  you  to  the  renewed  fellowship  of  those  of  your 
early  friends  whom  a  kind  Providence  has  spared  to  see  this 
day,  to  the  respect  and  gratitude  of  all  your  townsmen  whom 
your  name  has  distinguished  and  your  bounty  has  blessed,  to 
the  tender  love  and  pious  prayers  of  the  children  among  whose 
first  lessons  it  has  been  to  learn  to  lisp  the  name  of  their  gen- 
erous benefactor ! 

Lastly,  I  welcome  you  to  this  noble  Ins*  ution,  whose  walls 
you  have  reared,  and  whose  portals  you  have  opened  for  the 
promotion  of  knowledge  and  morality  !  Long  may  it  flourish, 
and  truly  may  it  fulfil  its  glorious  mission  ! 

And  when  you,  too,  shall  have  passed  away,  and  all  that 
now  five  have  returned  to  the  dust,  and  down  to  latest  times, 
may  it  stand,  the  cherished  and  imperishable  monument  to 
your  memory  and  name  ! 

And  now,  Sir,  reverently  I  invoke  it,  God's  blessing  be  upon 
you! 


'4^ 


At  times,  during  the  delivery  of  this  Address,  Mr.  Peabody 
seemed  greatly  affected.  At  its  conclusion,  the  pupils  of  the 
Holten  High  School  sung,  in  a  touching  and  beautiful  manner, 
"Home  Again,"  to  the  following  words  : — 

HOME    AGAIN. 

WRITTEN    BY    MISS    ANNE    L.    PAGE 

Welcome  Home  !    "Welcome  Home ! 

From  a  foreign  shore ; 
And  Oh  !  it  fills  our  souls  with  joy, 

That  you  are  here  once  more. 
Though  face  and  form  to  us  are  strange, 

Wc  love  the  heart  of  truth, 
Whose  years  of  absence  could  not  dim 

The  memories  of  its  j'outh. 

Welcome  Home,  &c. 

Noble  hearts  in  other  lands 

Have  known  and  tried  your  worth  ; 
And  'tis  a  joyous  thing  for  us. 

That  here  you  had  your  birth. 
Oh,  ne'er  can  time  or  change  eflFace 

What  you  to  us  have  been, 
And  grateful  hearts,  in  future  years, 

Shall  keep  your  memory  green. 

Welcome  Home,  &c. 

Mr.  Peabody  then  made  the  following  response  to  Mr. 
Abbott's  Address : — 

MR.  PEABODY'S  ADDRESS. 

Mr.  Abbott  and  Fellow-Townsmen: — 

I  have  listened  to  your  eloquent  words  of  welcome  with 
the  most  intense  emotions,  and  return  you  for  them  my  warm- 
est acknowledgments.  My  heart  tells  me  that  this  is  no  common 
occasion.  This  vast  gathering,  comprising  many  old  associ- 
ates, their  children  and  their  grandchildren,  to  welcome  me  to 
the  home  of  my  childhood,  almost  unmans  me.  Though 
Providence  has  granted  me  an  unvaried  and  unusual  success 
in  the  pursuit  of  fortune  in  other  lands,  I  am  still,  in  heart,  ther 
humble  boy  w^ho  left  yonder  unpretending  dwelling,  many — 
very  many  years  ago. 


45      ' 

'I  have  felt  it  necessary  to  decline  many  proffered  hospitali- 
ties, but  I  could  not  resist  the  impulse  which  prompted  me  to 
accept  yours,  and  to  revisit  the  scenes  once  so  familiar,  to  take 
you  again  by  the  hand,  and  to  tell  you  how  it  rejoices  my 
heart  to  see  you. 

You  can  scarcely  imagine  how  the  changes  to  which  you 
have  referred  impress  me.  You  have  yourselves  grown  up 
with  them,  and  have  gradually  become  familiarized  with  all; 
but  to  me,  who  have  been  so  long  away,  the  effect  is  almost 
astounding.  It  is  gratifying  to  find,  however,  that  these  trans- 
formations have  gone  hand  in  hand  with  your  prosperity  and 
improvement. 

The  solitary  fields  which  -were  the  scenes  of  my  boyish 
sports  now  resound  Avith  the  hum  of  busy  labor :  and  the  spirit 
of  improvement,  not  content  with  triumph  on  land,  has  even 
converted  Foster's  millpond  into  solid  ground,  and  made  it  the 
scene  of  active  enterprise. 

But  time  has  also  wrought  changes  of  a  painful  nature.  Of 
those  I  left,  the  old  are  all  gone.  A  few  of  the  middle  aged 
remain,  but  old  and  infirm,  while  the  active  population  consists 
almost  entirely  of  a  new  generation. 

I  now  revert  to  a  more  pleasing  theme,  and  call  your  atten- 
tion to  the  brightest  portion  of  the  picture  of  the  day. 

One  of  the  most  pleasing  and  touching  incidents  of  this 
morning,  is  the  large  number  of  scholars  who  have  come  forth 
to  bid  me  welcome,  and  who  now  surround  me.  In  address- 
ing a  few  words  to  you,  my  dear  young  friends,  I  would  bid 
you  remember  that  but  a  few  years  will  elapse  before  you  will 
occupy  the  same  position  towards  your  own  children  which 
your  parents  now  hold  towards  yourselves.  The  training  you 
are  now  receiving  is  a  precious  talent,  for  the  use  or  abuse  of 
which  each  will,  on  a  future  day,  be  called  upon  to  give  a 
severe  account.  May  you  then  be  ready  to  render  up  that 
talent  with  "usury."  There  is  not  a  youth  within  the  sound 
of  my  voice  whose  early  opportunities  and  advantages  are  noj 
very  much  greater  than  were  my  own,  and  I  have  since 
achieved  nothing  that  is  impossible  to  the  most  humble  boy 


46 

among  yon.  I  hope  many  a  great  and  good  man  may  arise 
from  among  the  ranks  of  Danvers  boys  assembled  here  to-day. 
Bear  in  mind,  however,  that  to  be  truly  great  it  is  not  necessa- 
ry that  you  should  gain  wealth  and  importance.  Every  boy 
may  become  a  great  man,  in  whatever  sphere  Providence  may 
call  him  to  move. 

Steadfast  and  undeviating  truth,  fearless  and  straightforward 
integrity,  and  an  honor  ever  unsullied  by  an  unworthy  word 
or  action,  make  their  possessor  greater  than  worldly  success  or 
prosperity.  These  qualities  constitute  greatness ;  without 
them  you  will  never  enjoy  the  good  opinion  of  others  or  the 
approbation  of  a  good  conscience. 

I'o  my  young  female  friends  I  would  say, — Remember  that 
there  have  been,  and  are,  great  women  as  well  as  great  men  ; 
great  in  their  domestic  graces,  as  daughters,  as  wives  and  as 
mothers;  and  I  trust  that  future  times  may  record  many  a 
name  so  distinguished,  whose  seeds  of  good  were  sown  within 
this  town,  and  allow  me  to  hope  that  my  eye  now  rests  upon 
some  of  them. 

May  the  advice  I  have  given  you  be  impressed  upon  your 
young  hearts.  It  is  given  with  great  sincerity  by  one  who 
has  had  much  experience  in  the  world  ;  and  although  Provi- 
dence has  smiled  upon  all  his  labors,  he  has  never  ceased  to 
feel  and  lament  the  want  of  that  early  education,  which  is 
now  so  freely  offered  to  each  one  of  you.  This  is  the  first 
time  we  have  met ;  it  may  prove  the  last,  but  while  I  live  I 
shall  ever  feel  a  warm  interest  in  your  welfare.  God  bless 
you  all ! 

During  the  delivery  of  both  these  Addresses  there  were  fre- 
que^i'  expressions  of  applause  ;  but  the  solemn  stillness,  the  up- 
turned faces,  and,  above  all,  the  swelling  hearts  and  moistened 
eyes  of  the  listening  throng,  were  more  expressive  of  deep 
emotion  than  the  loudest  plaudits  could  have  shown. 


m 


°  '^'0^% 


■<^tJV«'lilk^t 


^  '"^A 


'./itKlry  J.H.Buftord. 
ARwH   ZR^C^ED    BY  THZ    WEBSTER  CLUf 

MAIN   ST.   S.OANVERS 


THE     DINNER. 


After  the  conclusion  of  the  exercises  of  the  Reception  the 
Chief  Marshal  formed  a  procession  of  the  guests  and  holders 
of  tickets  to  the  Dinner,  and  proceeded  under  escort  through 
Washington  Street  to  J.  B,  Smith's  large  Pavilion,  which  was 
finely  decorated  for  the  occasion,  where  tables  were  laid  for 
about  1500  guests.  It  was  an  orderly  and  brilliant  gathering. 
A  large  number  of  ladies  were  present,  whose  beauty  and  intel- 
ligence gave  an  additional  charm  to  the  festivities. 

When  the  company  were  seated,  Hon.  Robert  S.  Daniels, 
President  of  the  Day,  introduced  the  Chaplain,  Rev.  Mr. 
Murray,  who  is  the  successor  of  Rev.  Mr.  Walker,  with  whose 
religious  society  the  family  of  Mr.  Peabody  was  connected 
when  he  resided  here.  After  the  repast,  Mr.  Daniels  arose  and 
delivered  the  following  speech  : — 

Hon.  ROBERT  S.  DANIELS'  ADDRESS. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

When  we  gathered  within  the  Peabody  Institute,  on  the  day 
it  was  consecrated  to  the  great  and  good  object  of  promoting 
knowledge  and  morality,  and  listened  to  the  stirring  eloquence 
and  wise  suggestions  of  the  gifted  orator  of  the  occasion,  we 
well  supposed  that  it  was  the  crowning  glory  of  our  history 
and  the  brightest  memento  of  our  own  times  which  would  be 
transmitted  to  posterity  ;  but  the  transactions  and  associations 
of  this  day  will  impart  new  lustre  and  add  fresh  beauty  to  all 
we  have  heretofore  hoped  and  done. 

This  may  be  truly  said  to  be  an  occasion  of  rare  occurrence 


48 

and  uncommon  interest.  It  takes  deep  hold  upon  the  feelings 
of  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  of  whatever  age  or  circum- 
stance. 

We  assemble  here  to-day  a  united  people,  with  one  mind 
and  heart,  and  that  heart  throbbing  with  the  purest  impulses  of 
joy  and  gratitude.  And  why  alj  this  outbreak  of  popular  feel- 
ing, this  unusual  gathering  of  learning  and  talent,  beauty  and 
fashion,  of  age  and  youth,  and  every  countenance  indicating 
that  it  is  the  willing  tribute  of  the  heart  ? 

There  is  not  here  any  great  conqueror  crowned  with  laurels, 
fresh  from  the  victorious  battle-field,  to  receive  our  homage. 
We  are  not  here  to  do  honor  to  any  of  our  distinguished  states- 
men, but  on  the  other  hand,  some  of  them  are  present  to  mingle 
their  voices  and  praises  with  ours,  [t  is  not  for  any  such  ob- 
jects as  these,  that  our  whole  population  is  to-day,  and  has 
been  for  weeks,  moved  with  an  earnestness  and  enthusiasm 
heretofore  unknown. 

But  it  is  for  the  sole  and  single  purpose  to  welcome  home, 
after  an  absence  of  more  than  twenty  years,  one  of  our  own 
citizens  to  his  native  land  and  the  scenes  of  his  youth.  And 
although  he  has  been  living  and  associating  during  the  whole 
period  of  his  absence  with  the  nobles  of  a  foreign  country,  he 
has  no  titles,  nor  is  he  graced  with  the  insignia  of  office,  but  is 
simply  a  private  gentleman  with  an  American  heart,  warmly 
attached  to  the  land  of  his  birth,  with  strong  feelings  and  aspi- 
rations for  her  honor  and  prosperity. 

And  why  this  public  and  spontaneous  greeting  of  a  private, 
unostentatious  individual  ?  The  response  to  this  question  can 
be  given  by  any  one  or  all  of  you,  and  by  thousands  throughout 
the  country.  It  is  for  his  high  standing  for  integrity  and  honor 
as  an  American  merchant — for  his  unbounded  hospitality,  and 
unlimited  benevolence  in  private  charities,  and  public  benefac- 
tions— and  his  unceasing  efforts  to  promote  free  and  social 
intercourse  among  the  citizens  of  our  own  country  and  the 
people  of  the  land  of  his  residence. 

Jn  times  of  commercial  distress  he  has  exerted  great  influence 
in  sustaining  the  credit  of  our  country.     He  has  ever  been  on 


49 

the  side  of  peace,  and  his  high  position,  elevated  character,  and 
great  resources,  have  enabled  him  to  do  much  towards  main- 
taining amicable  relations  between  England  and  America.  The 
performance  of  any  one  of  these  high  duties  would  command 
our  respect — and  when  we  find  an  individual  who  has  per- 
formed them  all,  it  is  easy  to  account  for  the  desire  of  the 
people  to  do  him  honor. 

To  his  commercial  character,  in  all  its  relations,  our  great 
cities,  through  their  distinguished  merchants,  have  borne  the 
most  ample  testimony,  and  the  recipients  of  his  noble  hospi- 
tality are  scattered  all  over  our  great  and  growing  country.  Of 
his  benevolence  and  liberality  we  can  point  you  to  a  standing 
monument  which  will  outlast  us  all,  and  scatter  its  beautiful 
fruits  all  the  way  down  through  generations  yet  unborn.  I 
allude  to  the  Peabody  Institute  :  of  the  details  of  its  operation 
I  do  not  propose  to  speak.  The  institution  itself  is  known 
throughout  our  country — its  foundation,  its  history,  its  success, 
and  its  beneficial  eff"ects,  are  before  the  world. 

It  has  been  said  by  a  friend  of  Mr.  Peabody,  that  it  is  the 
best  investment  he  ever  made — not  that  it  will  add  to  his 
already  abundant  wealth,  but  it  is  the  inward  joy  and  constant 
pleasure  that  the  true  philanthropist  feels,  when  he  knows  that 
his  efforts  to  benefit  and  bless  his  fellow-beings  have  been  suc- 
cessful, that  will  add  a  large  per  cent,  to  the  sweets  and  hopes 
of  life,  and  cast  a  halo  of  glory  around  the  memories  which  it 
awakens. 

It  is  now  more  than  forty  years  since  Mr.  Peabody  was  a 
resident  of  this  town,  and  many  and  great  are  the  changes 
which  have  taken  place  during  that  period.  Many  of  them  are 
of  a  pleasing  character ;  some  of  them,  however,  which  are  the 
result  of  the  universal  law  of  nature,  will  be  remembered  with 
sorrow.  And  I  would  ask,  with  reference  to  these  changes,  in 
the  language  of  Scripture — "The  fathers,  where  are  they?" 
They  are  all  gone.  Their  scats  in  our  halls  and  in  our  churches 
are  all  vacant.  The  active  business  men  of  that  day  have  all 
passed  from  time  to  eternity. 
4 


50 

The  population  of  Dauvers  at  that  period  was  about  three 
thousand  :  now  more  than  ten  thousand.  We  then  had  but 
two  churches,  we  now  have  nine.  The  salaries  paid  the  min- 
isters were  about  cue  thousand  dollars  :  now  estimated  at  ten 
thousand.  We  then  had  but  two  or  three  public  schoolhouses  ; 
now  some  fifteen,  and  a  number  of  them  large  and  costly 
buildings,  and  thronged  with  hundreds  of  happy  children.  We 
then  appropriated  about  two  thousand  dollars  for  their  support : 
now  about  ten  thousand,  and  are  trying  to  pay  "  the  debt  due 
from  present  to  future  generations."  Our  old  public  avenues 
are  filled  with  dwellings  and  stores ;  many  new  streets  have 
been  located  and  built  upon.  The  power  of  steam  was  then 
almost  unknown.  Railroads  are  now  laid  in  all  directions 
through  our  town,  and  almost  thirty  trains  per  day  pass  through 
this  village.  We  then  had  no  banks  and  no  post  offices  :  we 
now  have  three  banks  and  four  post  offices,  and  I  feel  warranted 
in  stating  that  the  business  of  the  town  would  show  a  greater 
increase  than  anything  else. 

Mr.  Peabody  left  this  place  about  the  period  I  have  named, 
with  no  capital  but  a  good  character,  and  his  inherent  energy 
and  firm  resolve.  He  now  returns  to  us  under  circumstances 
known  to  you  all, — his  unparalleled  success  has  not  blotted 
from  his  memory  his  old  home  and  his  old  friends.  The  elo- 
quent welcome  given  this  morning  meets  a  response  from  every 
heart.  The  impressions  made  to-day  will  never  fade  from  the 
memory  of  the  youngest  person  present,  but  will  entwine 
themselves  around  all  our  hearts,  and  be  rehearsed  by  our 
children's  children  as  incentives  to  guide  them  in  the  paths  of 
virtue  and  honor. 

In  conclusion,  I  propose  the  following  sentiment: 

"  A  cordial  and  hearty  welcome  to  the  distinguished  citizen,  eminent  merchant, 
and  public  benefactor." 

Amid  the  most  enthusiastic  cheers,  Mr.  Peabody  then  arose 
and  spoke  as  follows  : — 


51 


MR.  PEABODY'S  ADDRESS. 

Mr.  Chairman,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : — 

The  reception  you  have  given  me  to-day,  and  especially  this 
enthusiastic  greeting,  overpowers  me.  Few  boys  ever  left  a 
New  England  town  under  circumstances  more  humble  than  I 
did.  None  could  return  more  honored — honored,  too,  where 
honor  is  said  not  to  be  usual — in  his  own  country,  and  among 
his  own  kindred.  I  feel  proud  as  well  as  grateful  at  these 
testimonials,  so  far  beyond  my  merits,  but  so  gratifying  to  my 
heart,  and  which  I  shall  ever  esteem  the  greatest  honor  of  my 
life. 

You  have  alluded,  Mr.  Chairman,  to  my  course  as  a  mer- 
chant. Heaven  has  been  pleased  to  reward  my  efforts  with 
success,  and  has  permitted  me  to  establish,  through  my  own 
exertions,  a  house  in  the  great  metropolis  of  England,  which, 
I  think  my  mercantile  friends  here  present  will  bear  me  out 
in  saying,  sustains  a  high  character  and  credit  throughout  the 
world.  Coming  back  to  the  home  of  my  childhood,  I  hon- 
estly confess  that  I  feel  great  pride  in  this,  and  I  do  not  be- 
lieve that  you  will  accuse  me  of  egotism  in  saying  so.  I  have 
endeavored,  in  the  constitution  of  its  members  and  the  char- 
acter of  its  business,  to  make  it  an  American  House,  and  to 
give  it  an  American  atmosphere  ;  to  furnish  it  with  American 
journals  ;  to  make  it  a  center  for  American  news,  and  an  agree- 
able place  for  my  American  friends  visiting  London.  That  I 
have  partially  succeeded  in  doing  so,  I  think  I  may  reasonably 
conclude,  from  the  liattering  testimonials  which  I  have  re- 
ceived since  my  arrival  in  this  country. 

You  have  also  been  pleased  to  allude  to  my  humble  efforts 
to  promote  good  feeling  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United 
States,  by  increasing  the  social  intercourse  between  my  Eng- 
lish and  American  friends.  That  a  cordial  alliance  ought  to 
exist  between  these  two  countries,  founded  on  social  inter- 
course and  personal  friendships,  as  well  as  mutual  interests,  is 
an  opinion  which  I  share  with  most  persons  who  have  had  the 


52 

opportunity  to  see  both.  I  am  happy,  indeed,  if  my  humble 
efforts  have  aided  in  promoting  such  good  feehng.  If  there 
are  two  nations  on  the  face  of  the  earth  which  ought  to  be  con- 
nected by  the  closest  ties  of  mutual  good  will,  they  are  these 
two  countries.  It  is  not  in  the  language  ordinarily  used  that 
I  point  to  the  similarity  in  their  institutions,  their  laws,  their 
language,  and  their  commercial  interests.  The  exports  of  this 
country  to  Great  Britain  are  larger  than  to  all  the  world  be- 
sides;  the  exports  from  Great  Britain  to  this  country,  though 
not  relatively  so  large,  are  on  an  equally  gigantic  scale.  A 
monetary  crisis  in  one  country  is  generally  followed  by  like 
results  in  the  other.  A  change  in  financial  policy  on  the  one 
side  is  met  by  a  responsive  change  on  the  other.  The  jour- 
nals of  each  country  reflect,  at  length,  each  other's  views  and 
sentiments. 

Out  of  this  very  intimacy  of  relations  there  grows  frequent 
cause  of  difference  ;  but  I  am  sure  that,  nowithstanding  the 
little  outbursts  of  jealousy  which  occasionally  show  themselves, 
England  is  not  less  proud  of  her  offspring  than  is  America  of  the 
parent  stock.  I  can  assure  you  that,  from  the  universally  be- 
loved Gtueen  who  rules  those  realms,  down  to  her  humblest 
subject,  one  feeling  of  good  will  towards  this  country  prevails. 
[Enthusiastic  applause,  long  continued.]  I  say  this  with  the 
greater  confidence,  since  I  see  around  me  many  gentlemen  who 
have  had  the  opportunity  to  see  for  themselves  whether  these 
things  are  so.  To  none  can  I  appeal  more  confidently  than  to 
you.  Sir,  [turning  to  Mr.  Everett,]  who  have  filled  the  most  im- 
portant office,  abroad,  in  the  gift  of  our  government,  with  so 
much  honor  to  your  own  country,  and  so  much  satisfaction  to 
those  to  whom  you  were  accredited.  I  have  been  reminded 
to-day  that  one,  who  followed  worthily  in  the  footsteps  of  my 
friend  on  the  left,  has  passed  away.  The  corner  stone  of  the 
Peabody  Institute  was  laid  by  Abbott  Lawrence;  but,  before  it 
was  completed,  his  pure  spirit  had  left  this  world.  I  admired 
him  for  his  practical  talents ;  I  respected  him  for  his  virtues, 
and  I  loved  him  as  a  friend.  Like  myself,  he  was  convinced 
of  the  great  importance  of  conciliation,  forbearance,  and  mu- 


53 

tual  good  will  between  England  and  America.  During  his 
whole  mission  he  labored  earnestly  to  cultivate  these  feelings, 
and  I  take  a  melancholy  pleasure  in  adding  my  humble  tribute 
to  his  memory,  in  testifying  not  only  to  the  profuseness  of  his 
own  hospitalities,  and  the  constancy  of  his  own  labors  to  these 
ends,  but  to  the  heartiness  and  zeal  with  which  he  cooperated 
in  my  more  humble  efforts.  The  memory  of  such  a  man  as 
Abbott  Lawrence  is  doubly  blessed. 

Allow  me  to  conclude  by  proposing  a  toast  : 

Our  old  town  of  Danvers,  as  it  was  constituted  in  1752 — May  she  know  none  but 
CIVIL  divisions. 

And,  in  connection  with  this  sentiment,  permit  me  to  ex- 
press a  hope  that  the  Peabody  Institute,  as  it  was  established 
in  1852,  as  it  exists  now,  and  as  it  shall  hereafter  exist,  may 
prove  a  perpetual  bond  to  unite  the  towns  of  Danvers  and 
South  Danvers.      [Great  cheering.] 

The  President  then  offered  : — 

The  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts — Her  present  position  is  a,s  honorable  for  insti- 
tutions of  charity  and  benevolence  as  her  former  history  is  replete  with  patriotism. 

His  Excellency  Governor  Gardner  responded  as  follows : — 

GOY.  GARDNER'S  RESPONSE. 

Mr.  President,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen: — 

I  always  approach  a  speech  of  any  kind,  and  especially  an 
after-dinner  speech,  with  a  great  deal  of  reluctance.  So  foreign 
is  it  to  my  education  and  experience  in  early  life,  I  always  dread 
it ;  and  if  ever,  more  especially  now,  here,  on  this  occasion,  sur- 
rounded as  I  am  by  the  flower  of  Essex,  and  not  only  of  Es- 
sex, but  of  New  England,  and  not  of  New  England  alone,  but 
of  the  United  States, — seeing  before  me,  as  I  do,  representa- 
tives not  only  of  the  press  of  Boston,  but  of  New  York,  of 
Philadelphia,  Cincinnati,  aye,  and  from  across  the  ocean  wa- 
ters, of  the  press  of  the  Old  World,  [cheers] — seeing  around 
me  and  by  me  those  whose  eloquence  you  are  wont  to  listen 
to  and  hang  upon  with  delight,  I  may  well  dread  being  called 
on  to  say  one  word  ;  and  yet  I  am  glad  to  respond  to  that  sen- 


54 

timcnt,  in  honor  of  the  good,  noble,  illustrious,  dear  old  State 
of  Massachusetts  [loud  applause] — a  State  which  was  the  birth- 
place of  most  of  us,  which  is  the  home  of  all  our  affections, 
where  is  centered  and  gathered  together  all  that  we  hold  dear 
in  this  life,  where  repose  the  ashes  of  our  ancestors,  and  where, 
some  day,  we  fondly  hope  our  own  may  be  peacefully  laid 
beside  them. 

In  response  to  a  sentiment  complimentary  to  Massachusetts, 
I  am  always  proud  to  raise  my  voice  ;  and  responsive  to  this 
allusion,  in  honor  of  her  Institutions,  I  think  to-day,  in  this 
presence,  an  answer  may  be  peculiarly  fitting.  I  have  never 
before  participated  in  an  occasion  of  this  kind.  Where  was 
there  one  ?  A  young  man — with  no  other  capital,  as  you  well 
said,  but  his  hands  and  his  integrity,  going  abroad  across  the 
waters,  unheralded  and  unknown — by  his  own  industry  and 
integrity  distinguishing  himself  among  his  fellows,  and  in  the 
good  gifts  of  Providence  showered  upon  him  every  hour  of 
every  year,  seeking  how  he  might  benefit  his  countrymen  at 
home — [cheers]  rendering  his  name  illustrious,  also,  for  his 
princely  hospitality, — and  his  commercial  house  to  which  you 
refer,  a  proverb  upon  the  marts  and  commercial  highways  of 
nations — to  see  such  an  one  return,  so  honored  and  so  beloved, 
to  the  scene  of  his  birth,  is  indeed  a  new  and  interesting 
event. 

But  I  cannot,  I  will  not  detain  you.  I  cannot,  however,  but 
refer  to  one  circumstance  in  the  career  of  your  distinguished 
guest,  which  makes  me  peculiarly  proud,  and  feel  deeply  hon- 
ored now  to  address  him.  He  is  a  merchant ;  he  belongs  to 
that  fraternity,  to  which  my  own  humble  life  and  services 
have  been  devoted.  It  has  not  the  glittering  attraction  of  the 
warrior,  whose  fame  can  be  carved  out  by  his  sword  upon  the 
battle-field  ;  it  has  not,  ladies  and  gentlemen,  that  attraction, 
which  he,  who  spreads  abroad  the  glad  tidings  to  all  nations, 
finds  in  his  profession  ;  it  has  not  the  attraction  of  legal  or  of 
political  excitement ;  it  has  not,  necessarily — though  there  are 
many  exceptions — it  has  not,  I  say,  necessarily,  that  connection 
with  the  cultivation  of  the  intellect,  the  improvement  of  the 


55 

mind,  which  the  learned  professions,  so  called,  always  require. 
But,  Sir,  you  and  I  know  it  has  its  pride  and  its  value. 
There  must  be  patient  attention  to  petty  details,  to  exacting, 
minute  transactions;  there  must  be  great  and  careful  and  pru- 
dent attention  ])aid  to  them  ail,  hour  after  hour,  and  day  after 
day  ;  but  when  the  successful  result  is  reached,  there  is  a  com- 
pensation in  that  very  success  itself,  and  high  honor  in  the 
means  by  which  it  has  been  attained. 

And,  Sir,  in  your  career  there  is  much  that  the  young 
merchants  of  Massachusetts  can  profit  by.  In  the  first  place, 
they  can  take  a  lesson  from  that  integrity  of  purpose,  of 
which  we  all  to-day  have  read  upon  banner,  upon  house, 
upon  staflf,  and  upon  the  faces,  and  in  the  words  of  our 
citizens.  We  can  see,  too,  in  your  career  where  the  syren 
Hope,  in  early  days,  beckoned  you  where  deeper  waters  ran, 
and  pointed  to  the  furled  sail  at  the  mast  head,  how  you  stood 
resolutely  on  in  your  own  path  of  duty,  and  defied  the  syren 
song ;  there  is  in  that  a  lesson  for  the  young  merchants  of 
Massachusetts  to  remember.     [Cheers.] 

But  further,  beyond  and  above  all  this,  when  Providence  in 
His  mercy  has  filled  your  treasury  to  overflowing,  when  you 
have  reached  the  goal  of  all  your  anticipations,  all  you  ever 
could  have  hoped  or  desired, — aye,  there  is  a  lesson,  my 
friends,  for  the  young  and  the  old  merchants  all  to  bear  in 
mind  as  to  the  manner  in  which  those  rich  rewards  have  been 
distributed.     [Loud  cheers.] 

I  feel,  my  friends,  I  have  detained  you  too  long.  As  a  mer- 
chant, I  am  proud  to  meet  our  distinguished  guest ;  as  a  citizen 
of  Massachusetts  I  am  glad  to  greet  him  ;  and  in  response  to 
your  sentiment  commemorative  and  approving  the  institutions 
of  our  Commonwealth,  I  would  welcome  back  to  his  home, 
him  who  has  done  so  much  by  his  liberality  to  benefit  the 
institutions  of  learning  within  our  borders.     [Loud  cheers.] 

The  next  regular  sentiment  was  read  by  Hon.  George  Os- 
borne, one  of  the  Vice-Presidents,  who  acted  as  toast-master  : 

England  and  America  —Pulchra  mater — pulchrior  Jilia — long  may  they  flourish  ia 
the  bonds  of  peace,  rivals  only  in  their  efforts  to  civilize  and  Christianize  the  world. 


56 

The  Chairman  having  called  upon  Mr.  Everett  to  respond 
to  this  toast,  that  gentleman  spoke  substantially  as  follows: — 

SPEECH  OF  HON.  EDWARD  EVERETT. 

Mr.  President  : — 

I  suppose  you  have  called  upon  me  to  respond  to  this  inter- 
esting toast,  chiefly  because  I  filled  a  few  years  ago  a  place 
abroad,  which  made  me  in  some  degree  the  associate  of  your 
distinguished  guest,  in  the  kindly  office  of  promoting  good  will 
between  the  two  great  branches  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  or  Anglo- 
Norman  race  (for  I  do  not  think  it  matters  much  by  which 
name  you  call  it,)  "the  fah  mother  and  the  fairer  daughter," 
to  which  the  toast  alludes.  At  all  events,  I  had  much  oppor- 
tunity, during  my  residence  in  England,  to  witness  the  hon- 
orable position  of  Mr.  Peabody  in  the  commercial  and  social 
circles  of  London  ;  his  eff'orts  to  make  the  citizens  of  the  two 
countries  favorably  known  to  each  other  ;  and  generally  that 
course  of  life  and  conduct,  whicfi  has  contributed  to  procure 
him  the  well-deserved  honors  of  this  day,  and  which  shows 
that  he  fully  enters  into  the  spirit  of  the  sentiment  just  pro- 
pounded from  the  chair. 

To  the  prayer  of  that  sentiment.  Sir,  I  fully  respond,  desir- 
ing nothing  more  ardently  in  the  foreign  relations  of  the  coun- 
try, than  that  these  two  great  nations  may  be  rivals  only  in 
their  eff'orts  to  promote  the  welfare  and  improvement  of  man- 
kind. They  have  already  done,  they  are  now  doing  much,  at 
home  and  abroad,  to  promote  that  end  by  the  arts  of  peace. 
Whenever  they  cooperate  they  can  sweep  everything  before 
them; — when  they  are  at  variance,  when  they  pull  opposite 
ways,  it  is  the  annihilation  of  much  of  the  moral  power  of  both. 
Whenever  England  and  America  combine  their  influence  in 
promoting  a  worthy  object,  it  moves  forward  like  a  vessel  pro- 
pelled by  the  united  force  of  wind  and  steam  ;  but  when  they 
are  in  conflict  with  each  other,  it  is  like  the  struggle  of  the 
toiling  engine  against  the  opposing  tempest.  It  is  well  if  the 
laboring  vessel  holds  her  own  ;  there  is  danger  if  the  steam 
prevails  that  she  may  be  crowded  under  the  mountain  waves, 


57 

or,  if  the   storm   gains  the  mastery,  that   she   may  drift  upon 
the  rocks. 

It  is  very  obvious  to  remark,  on  this  occasion,  and  on  this 
subject,  while  you  are  offering  a  tribute  of  respect  to  a  distin- 
guished man  of  business,  that  these  two  great  nations,  which 
are  doing  so  much  for  the  advancement  of  civilization,  are  the 
two  leading  commercial  nations  of  the  world  ;  tliat  they  have 
carried  navigation  and  commerce  to  a  height  unknown  before. 
And  this  consideration,  Sir,  will  serve  to  justify  you  and  your 
fellow-citizens,  if  they  need  justification,  for  the  honors  you 
are  bestowing  upon  the  guest  of  the  day,  as  it  will  the  other 
communities  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  which  have  been 
desirous  of  joining  in  similar  public  demonstrations  of  respect. 
Without  wishing  to  disparage  the  services  which  command 
your  respect  and  gratitude,  in  the  walks  of  political,  military, 
or  literary  life,  it  is  natural  that,  in  a  country  like  the  United 
States,  where  commerce  is  so  important  an  interest,  you  should 
be  prompt  to  recognize  distinguished  merit  in  the  commercial 
career ;  a  career  of  which,  when  pursued  with  diligence,  sagac- 
ity, enterprise,  integrity  and  honor,  I  deem  it  not  too  much  to 
say,  that  it  stands  behind  no  other  in  its  titles  to  respect  and 
consideration  ;  as  I  deem  it  not  too  much  to  say  of  conmierce 
in  its  largest  comprehension,  that  it  has  done  as  much  in-  all 
time,  and  is  now  doing  as  much,  to  promote  the  general  cause 
of  civilization,  as  any  of  the  other  great  pursuits  of  life. 

Trace  its  history  for  a  moment  from  the  earliest  period.  In 
the  infancy  of  the  world  its  caravans,  like  gigantic  silk  worms, 
went  creeping,  with  their  innumerable  legs,  through  the  arid 
wastes  of  Asia  and  Africa,  and  bound  the  human  family  to- 
gether in  those  vast  regions  as  the}'"  bind  it  together  now.  Its 
colonial  establishments  scattered  the  Grecian  culture  all  round 
the  shores  of  the  Mediterranean,  and  carried  the  adventurers  of 
Tyre  and  Carthage  to  the  north  of  Europe  and  the  south  of 
Africa.  The  walled  cities  of  the  middle  ages  prevented  the 
arts  and  refinements  of  life  from  being  trampled  out  of  exist- 
ence under  the  iron  heel  of  the  feudal  powers.  The  Hanse 
Towns  were  the  bulwark  of  liberty  and  property  in  the  north 


58 

and  west  of  Europe  for  ages.  The  germ  of  the  representative 
system  sprang  from  the  municipal  franchises  of  the  boroughs. 
At  the  revival  of  letters,  the  merchant  princes  of  Florence  re- 
ceived the  fugitive  arts  of  Greece  into  their  stately  palaces. 
The  spirit  of  commercial  adventure  produced  that  movement 
in  the  fifteenth  century  which  led  Columbus  to  America,  and 
Vasco  di  Gama  around  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  The  deep 
foundations  of  the  modern  system  of  international  law  were 
laid  in  the  interests  and  rights  of  commerce,  and  the  necessity 
of  protecting  them.  Commerce  sprinkled  the  treasures  of  the 
newly-found  Indies  throughout  the  western  nations  ;  it  nerved 
the  arm  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  in  the  Protestant  world  ; 
it  gradually  extended  the  colonial  system  of  Europe  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth,  and  with  it  the  elements  of  future  inde- 
pendent, civilized,  republican  governments. 

But  why  should  we  dwell  on  the  past?  What  is  it  that 
gives  vigor  to  the  civilization  of  the  present  day  but  the  world- 
wide extensioti  of  commercial  intercourse,  by  which  all  the 
products  of  the  earth  and  of  the  ocean — of  the  soil,  the  mine, 
of  the  loom,  of  the  forest — of  bounteous  nature,  creative  art, 
and  untiring  industry,  are  brought  by  the  agencies  of  com- 
merce into  the  universal  market  of  demand  and  supply.  No 
matter  in  what  region,  the  desirable  product  is  bestowed  on 
man  by  a  liberal  Providence,  or  fabricated  by  human  skill. 
It  may  clothe  the  hills  of  China  with  its  fragrant  foliage  ;  it 
may  glitter  in  the  golden  sands  of  California;  it  may  wallow 
in  the  depth  of  the  Arctic  seas;  it  may  ripen  and  whiten  on 
the  fertile  plains  of  the  sunny  South  ;  it  may  spring  forth 
from  the  flying  shuttles  of  Manchester  in  England  or  Man- 
chester in  America — the  great  world-magnet  of  commerce  at- 
tracts it  all  alike,  and  gathers  it  all  up  for  the  service  of  man. 
I  do  not  speak  of  English  commerce  or  American  commerce. 
Such  distinctions  enfeeble  our  conceptions.  I  speak  of  com- 
merce in  the  aggregate — the  great  ebbing  and  flowing  tides  of 
the  commercial  world — the  great  gulf-streams  of  traffic  which 
flow  round  from  hemisphere  to  hemisphere,  the  mighty  trade- 
winds  of  commerce  which  sweep  from  the  old  world  to  the 


59 

new, — that  vast  aggregate  system  which  embraces  the  whole 
family  of  man,  and  brings  the  overflowing  treasures  of  nature 
and  art  into  kindly  relation  with  human  want,  convenience 
and  taste. 

In  carrying  on  this  system,  think  for  a  moment  of  the  stu- 
pendous agencies  that  are  put  in  motion.  Think  for  a  mo- 
ment of  all  the  ships  that  navigate  the  sea.  An  old  Latin 
poet,  who  knew  no  waters  beyond  those  of  the  Mediterranean 
and  Levant,  says  that  the  man  must  have  had  a  triple  casing  of 
oak  and  brass  about  his  bosom  who  first  trusted  his  frail  bark 
on  the  raging  sea.  How  many  thousands  of  vessels,  laden  by 
commerce,  are  at  this  moment  navigating,  not  the  narrow  seas 
frequented  by  the  ancients,  but  these  world  encompassing 
oceans!  Think  next  of  the  mountains  of  brick,  and  stone, 
and  iron,  built  up  into  the  great  commercial  cities  of  the  world; 
and  of  all  the  mighty  works  of  ancient  and  modern  contrivance 
and  structure, — the  moles,  the  lighthouses,  the  bridges,  the  ca- 
nals, the  roads,  the  railways,  the  depth  of  mines,  the  titanic 
force  of  enginery,  the  delving  ploughs,  the  scythes,  the  reap- 
ers, the  looms,  the  electric  telegraphs,  tlie.  vehicles  of  all  de- 
scriptions, which  directly  or  indirectly  are  employed  or  put  in 
motion  by  commerce  ;  and  last,  and  most  important,  the  mil- 
lions of  human  beings  that  conduct,  and  regulate,  and  combine 
these  inanimate,  organic,  and  mechanical  forces. 

And  now.  Sir,  is  it  anything  less  than  a  liberal  profession, 
which  carries  a  quick  intelligence,  a  prophetic  forecast,  an  in- 
dustry that  never  tires,  and,  more  than  all,  and  above  all,  a 
stainless  probity  beyond  reproach  and  beyond  suspicion,  into 
this  vast  and  complicated  system,  and  by  the  blessing  of  Prov- 
idence, works  out  a  prosperous  result  ?  Such  is  the  vocation 
of  the  merchant — the  man  of  business — pursued  in  many  de- 
partments of  foreign  and  domestic  trade — of  finance,  of  ex- 
change— but  all  comprehended  under  the  general  name  of 
commerce;  all  concerned  in  weaving  the  mighty  network  of 
mutually  beneficial  exchanges  which  enwraps  the  world. 

I  know  there  is  a  shade  to  this  bright  picture:  where  among 
the  works  or  the  fortunes  of  men  shall  we  find  one  that  is  all 


60 

sunlight?  Napoleon  the  First  thought  he  had  said  enough  to 
disparage  England  when  he  had  pronounced  her  a  nation  of 
shopkeepers;  and  we  Americans  are  said  by  some  of  our  own 
writers  to  be  slaves  of  the  almighty  dollar.  But  these  are  sal- 
lies of  national  hostility,  or  the  rebukes  which  a  stern  moral 
sense  rightly  administers  to  the  besetting  sins  of  individuals  or 
communities.  Every  pursuit  in  life,  however,  has  its  bright 
and  its  dark  phase  ;  every  pursuit  may  be  followed  in  a  gener- 
ous spirit  for  honorable  ends,  or  in  a  mean,  selfish,  corrupt 
spirit,  beginning  and  ending  in  personal  gratification.  But 
this  is  no  more  the  case  with  the  commercial  than  any  other 
career.  What  more  different  than  the  profession  of  the  law, 
as  pursued  by  the  upright  counsellor,  who  spreads  the  shield 
of  eternal  justice  over  your  life  and  fortune,  and  the  wicked 
pettifogger  who  drags  you  through  the  thorns  and  brambles  of 
vexatious  litigation  ?  What  more  different  than  the  beloved 
physician,  the  sound  of  whose  soft  footstep,  as  he  ascends 
your  staircase,  carries  hope  and  comfort  to  the  couch  of  wea- 
riness and  suffering,  and  the  solemn,  palavering,  impudent 
quack,  who  fattens  on  the  fears  and  frailties  of  his  victims  ? 
What  more  different  than  the  puljjit  which  reproves,  rebukes, 
and  exhorts  in  the  spirit  and  with  the  authority  of  the  gospel, 
and  the  pulpit  which  inflames  and  maddens,  perplexes  or  puts  to 
sleep?  What  more  different  than  the  press,  which,  like  the 
morning  sun,  sheds  light  and  truth  through  the  land,  and  the 
press  which  daily  distils  the  concentrated  venom  of  personal 
malice  and  party  detraction  from  its  dripping  wings  ?  I  be- 
lieve that  the  commercial  profession  is  as  capable  of  being  pur- 
sued with  intelligence,  honor,  and  public  spirit,  as  any  other; 
and,  when  so  pursued,  is  as  compatible  with  purity,  and  eleva- 
tion of  character  as  any  other;  as  well  entitled  to  the  honors 
which  a  community  bestows  on  those  who  adorn  and  serve  it; 
the  honors  which  you  this  day  delight  to  pay  to  our  friend 
and  guest. 

I  was  not  the  witness  of  the  commencement  of  his  career 
abroad  ;  but  we  all  know  that  it  soon  fell  upon  that  disas- 
trous period  when  all  American  credit  stood  low — when  the 


61 

default  of  some  of  the  States,  and  the  temporary  inability  of 
others  to  meet  their  obligations,  and  the  failure  of  several  of 
our  moneyed  institutions,  threw  doubt  and  distrust  on  all  Amer- 
ican securities.  That  great  sympathetic  nerve  (as  the  anato- 
mists call  it)  of  the  commercial  world — credit — as  far  as  the 
United  States  were  concerned,  was  for  the  time  paralyzed.  At 
that  moment,  and  it  was  a  trying  one,  our  friend  not  only 
stood  firm  himself,  but  he  was  the  cause  of  firmness  in  others. 
There  were  not  at  the  time,  probably,  a  half  a  dozen  other 
men  in  Europe,  who,  upon  the  subject  of  American  securities, 
would  have  been  listened  to  for  a  moment,  in  the  parlor  of  the 
Bank  of  England.  But  his  judgment  commanded  respect — 
his  integrity  won  back  the  reliance  which  men  had  been  ac- 
customed to  place  on  American  securities.  The  reproach  in 
which  they  were  all  indiscriminately  involved  was  gradually 
wiped  away,  from  those  of  a  substantial  character;  and  if  on 
this  solid  basis  of  unsuspected  good  faith  he  reared  his  own 
prosperity,  let  it  be  remembered  that,  at  the  same  time,  he  re- 
trieved the  credit  of  the  State  of  which  he  was  the  agent ; 
performing  the  miracle,  if  I  may  so  venture  to  express  myself, 
by  which  the  word  of  an  honest  man  turns  paper  into  gold. 

A  course  like  this,  however  commendable,  might  proceed 
from  calculation.  If  it  led  to  prosperity  and  opulence  it  might 
be  pursued  from  motives  exclusively  selfish.  But  Mr.  Peabody 
took  a  different  view  of  the  matter,  and  immediately  began  to 
act  upon  an  old  fashioned  New  England  maxim,  which  I  dare 
say  he  learned  in  childhood  and  carried  with  him  from  Dan- 
vers, — that  influence  and  property  have  their  duties  as  well  as 
their  privileges.  He  set  himself  to  work  to  promote  the  con- 
venience and  enhance  the  enjoyments  of  his  travelling  fellow 
countrymen — a  numerous  and  important  class.  The  traveller 
— often  the  friendless  traveller — stands  greatly  in  need  of  good 
offices  in  a  foreign  land.  Several  of  you,  my  friends,  know 
this,  I  am  sure,  by  experience  ;  some  of  you  can  say  how  per- 
severingly,  how  liberally,  these  good  offices  were  extended  by 
our  friend,  through  a  long  course  of  years,  to  his  travelling 
countrymen.     How  many  days,  otherwise  weary,  have  been 


62 

winged  with  cheerful  enjoyments  through  his  agency ;  how 
many  otherwit^e  dull  hours  in  health  and  in  sickness  enlivened 
by  his  attentions  ! 

It  occurred  to  our  friend  especially  to  do  that  on  a  large 
scale,  which  had  hitherto  been  done  to  a  very  limited  extent 
by  our  diplomatic  representatives  abroad.  The  small  salaries 
and  still  smaller  private  fortunes  (with  a  single  exception)  of  our 
ministers  at  St.  James,  had  prevented  them  from  extending  the 
rites  of  hospitality  as  liberally  as  they  could  have  wished  to 
their  fellow-citizens  abroad.  Our  friend  happily,  with  ample 
means,  determined  to  supply  the  defect ;  and  brought  together, 
at  the  social  board,  from  year  to  year,  at  a  succession  of  enter- 
tainments equally  magnificent  and  tasteful,  hundreds  of  his 
own  countrymen  and  of  his  English  friends.  How  much  was 
done  in  this  way  to  promote  kind  feeling  and  mutual  good 
will,  to  soften  prejiidice,  to  establish  a  good  understanding,  in 
a  word,  to  nurture  that  generous  rivalry  inculcated  in  the  sen- 
timent to  which  you  have  bid  me  respond,  I  need  not  say.  I 
have  been  particularly  requested  by  my  friend,  Sir  Henry  Hol- 
land, a  gentleman  of  the  highest  social  and  professional  stand- 
ing, to  state,  while  expressing  his  deep  regret  that  he  cannot, 
in  conformity  with  your  kind  invitation,  participate  in  this 
day's  festivities,  that  he  has  attended  several  of  Mr.  Peabody's 
international  entertainments  in  London,  and  felt  them  to  be  of 
the  happiest  tendency  in  promoting  kind  feeling  between  the 
two  countries. 

We  are  bound  as  Americans,  on  this  occasion  particularly, 
to  remember  the  very  important  services  rendered  by  your 
guest  to  his  countrymen  who  went  to  England  in  1851,  with 
specimens  of  the  products  and  arts  of  this  country,  to  be  exhib- 
ited at  the  Crystal  Palace.  In  most,  perhaps  in  all  other  coun- 
tries, this  exhibition  had  been  made  a  government  affair.  Com- 
missioners were  appointed  by  authority  to  protect  the  interests 
of  the  exhibitors,  and,  what  was  more  important,  appropriations 
of  money  were  made  to  defray  their  expenses.  No  appropria- 
tions were  made  by  Congress.  Our  exhibitors  arrived  friend- 
less, some  of  them  penniless,  in  the  great  commercial  Babel  of 


63 

the  world.  They  found  the  portion  of  the  Crystal  Palace 
assigned  to  our  country  unprepared  for  the  specimens  of  art 
and  industry  which  ihey  had  brought  with  them  ;  naked  and 
unadorned,  by  the  side  of  the  neighboring  arcades  and  galle- 
ries, fitted  up  with  elegance  and  splendor  by  the  richest  gov- 
ernments in  Europe.  The  English  press  began  to  launch  its 
too  ready  sarcasms  at  the  sorry  appearance  which  brother  Jon- 
athan seemed  likely  to  make,  and  all  the  exhibitors  from  this 
country,  and  all  who  felt  an  interest  in  their  success,  were  dis- 
heartened. At  this  critical  moment  our  friend  stepped  forward; 
he  did  what  Congress  should  have  done.  By  liberal  advances 
on  his  part,  the  American  department  was  fitted  up ;  and  day 
after  day,  as  some  new  product  of  American  ingenuity  and  taste 
was  added  to  the  list, — McCormick's  reaper,  Colt's  revolver, 
Powers'  Greek  slave,  Hobbs'  unpickable  lock,  Hoe's  wonderful 
printing  presses,  and  Bond's  more  wonderful  spring  governor, 
it  began  to  be  suspected  that  brother  Jonathan  was  not  quite 
so  much  of  a  simpleton  as  had  been  thought.  He  had  contrib- 
uted his  full  share,  if  not  to  the  splendor,  at  least  to  the  utili- 
ties of  the  exhibition.  In  fact  the  leading  journal  at  London, 
with  a  magnanimity  which  did  it  honor,  admitted  that  England 
had  derived  more  real  benefit  from  the  contributions  of  the 
United  States  than  from  those  of  any  other  country. 

But  our  friend,  on  that  occasion,  much  as  he  had  done  in 
the  way  mentioned  to  promote  the  interest  and  success  of  the 
American  exhibitors,  and  to  enable  them  to  sustain  that  gener- 
ous rivalry  to  which  the  toast  alludes,  thought  he  had  not  yet 
done  enough  for  their  gratification.  Accordingly,  in  a  most 
generous  international  banquet,  he  brought  together  on  the  one 
hand  the  most  prominent  of  his  countrymen,  drawn  by  the 
occasion  to  London,  and  on  the  other  hand,  the  chairman  of 
the  Royal  Commission,  with  other  persons  of  consideration  in 
England,  and  his  British  friends  generally ;  and  in  a  loving 
cup,  made  of  old  Danvers  oak,  pledged  them,  on  both  sides,  to 
warmer  feelings  of  mutual  good  will,  than  they  had  before  en- 
tertained. 

In  these  ways,  Mr.  President,  our  friend  has  certainly  done 


64 

his  share  to  carry  into  effect  the  principle  of  the  toast,  to  which 
you  call  upon  me  to  reply.  But  it  is  not  wholly  nor  chiefly 
for  these  kindly  offices  and  comj)rehensive  courtesies  ;  not  for 
the  success  with  which  he  has  pursued  the  paths  of  business 
life,  nor  for  the  moral  courage  with  which,  at  an  alarming 
crisis,  and  the  peril  of  his  own  fortunes,  he  sustained  the  credit 
of  the  State  he  represented — it  is  not  these  services  that  have 
called  forth  this  demonstration  of  respect.  Your  quiet  village, 
my  friends,  has  not  gone  forth  in  eager  throngs  to  meet  the 
successful  financier;  the  youthful  voices,  to  which  we  listened 
with  such  pleasure  in  the  morning,  have  not  been  attuned  to 
sing  the  praises  of  the  prosperous  banker.  No,  it  is  the  fellow- 
citizen  who,  from  the  arcades  of  the  London  exchange,  laid 
up  treasure  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen  ;  the  true  patriot 
who,  amidst  the  splendors  of  the  old  world's  capital,  said  in  his 
hoart — If  I  forget  thee,  oh  Jerusalem,  let  my  right  hand  forget 
her  cunning  ;  if  I  do  not  remember  thee  let  my  tongue  cleave 
to  the  roof  of  my  mouth  ; — it  is  the  dutiful  and  grateful  child 
and  benefactor  of  old  Danvers  whom  you  welcome  back  to 
his  home.      [Great  cheering.] 

Yes,  Sir,  and  the  property  you  have  invested  in  yonder  sim- 
ple edifice,  and  in  providing  the  means  of  innocent  occupation 
for  hours  of  leisure, — of  instructing  the  minds  and  forming  the 
intellectual  character  not  merely  of  the  generation  now  rising, 
but  of  that  which  shall  take  their  places,  when  the  heads  of 
those  dear  children,  who  so  lately  passed  in  happy  review  be- 
fore you,  shall  be  as  gray  as  mine,  and  of  others  still  more 
distant,  who  shall  plant  kind  flowers  on  our  graves — it  is  the 
property  you  have  laid  up  in  this  investment  which  will  embalm 
your  name  in  the  blessings  of  posterity,  when  granite  and 
marble  shall  crumble  to  dust.  Moth  and  rust  shall  not  corrupt 
it ;  they  might  as  easily  corrupt  the  pure  white  portals  of  the 
heavenly  city,  where  "  every  several  gate  is  of  one  pearl." 
Thieves  shall  not  break  through  and  steal  it ;  they  might  as, 
easily  break  through  the  vaulted  sky  and  steal  the  brightest 
star  in  the  firmament.     [Cheers.] 

The  great  sententious  poet  has  eulogized  the  "  Man  of  Ross  " 


65 

— the  man  of  practical,  unostentatious  benevolence — above  all, 
the  heroes  and  statesmen  of  the  Augustan  Age  of  England. 
Who,  he  asks — 

"  Who  hung  with  woods  the  mountain's  sultry  brow  ? 
From  the  dry  rock,  who  bade  the  waters  flow  ? 
Not  to  the  skies  in  useless  columns  tost, 
Or  in  proud  falls  magnificently  lost, 
But  clear  and  artless,  pouring  through  the  plain. 
Health  to  the  sick,  and  solace  to  the  swain." 

But  your  Man  of  Ross,  my  friends,  has  taught  a  nobler  stream 
to  flow  through  his  native  village — the  bubbhng,  sparkling, 
mind-refreshing,  soul-cheering  stream,  which  renews  while  it 
satisfies  the  generous  thirst  for  knowledge, — that  noble  un- 
quenchable thirst  "^  which  from  the  soul  doth  spring," — which 
gains  new  eagerness  from  the  draught  which  allays  it,  forever 
returning  though  forever  slaked,  to  the  cool  deep  fountains  of 
eternal  truth. 

You  well  recollect,  my  Danvers  friends,  the  16th  of  June, 
1852,  when  you  assembled  to  celebrate  the  centennial  anni- 
versary of  the  separation  of  Danvers  from  the  parent  stock. 
Your  pleasant  village  arrayed  herself  that  day  in  her  holiday 
robes.  Her  resident  citizens  with  one  accord  took  part  in  the 
festivities.  Many  of  her  children,  dispersed  through  the 
Union,  returned  that  day  to  the  homestead.  One  long  absent 
was  wanting,  whom  you  would  gladly  have  seen  among  you. 
But  you  had  not  forgotten  him  nor  he  you.  He  was  beyond 
the  sea,  absent  in  body,  but  present  in  spirit  and  in  kindly  re- 
membrance. In  reply  to  your  invitation,  he  returned,  as  the 
custom  is,  a  letter  of  acknowledgment,  enclosing  a  sealed  paper, 
with  an  endorsement  setting  forth  that  it  contained  Mr.  Pea- 
body's  sentiment,  and  was  not  to  be  opened  till  the  toasts  were 
proposed  at  the  public  dinner.  The  time  arrived, — the  paper 
was  opened, — and  it  contained  the  following  sound  and  signifii- 
cant  sentiment  : — "  Education, — A  debt  due  from  the  present 
to  future  generations." 

Now  we  all  know  that,  on  an  occasion  of  this  kind,  a  loose 
slip  of  paper,  such  as  a  sentiment  is  apt  to  be  written  on,  is 
5 


66 

in  danger  of  being  lost ;  a  puff  of  air  is  enough  to  blow  it 
away.  Accordingly,  just  by  way  of  paper-weight,  just  to  keep 
the  toast  safe  on  the  table,  and  also  to  illustrate  his  view  of  this 
new  way  of  paying  old  debts,  Mr.  Peabody  laid  down  twenty 
thousand  dollars  on  the  top  of  his  sentiment ;  and  for  the  sake 
of  still  greater  security,  has  since  added  about  as  much  more. 
Hence  it  has  come  to  pass,  that  this  excellent  sentiment  has 
sunk  deep  into  the  minds  of  our  Danvers  friends,  and  has,  I 
suspect,  mainly  contributed  to  the  honors  and  pleasures  of 
this  day. 

But  I  have  occupied,  Mr.  President,  much  more  than  my 
share  of  your  time  ;  and,  on  taking  my  seat,  I  will  only  con- 
gratulate you  on  this  joyous  occasion,  as  I  congratulate  our 
friend  and  guest  at  having  had  it  in  his  power  to  surround 
himself  with  so  many  smiling  faces  and  warm  hearts. 

Rev.  Dr.  Braman  was  called  for  by  the  President,  but  did 
not  respond. 

The  following  Song,  written  by  Mrs.  J.  R.  Peabody,  was 
then  sung  in  fine  style  by  an  excellent  Glee  Club,  led  by  Mr. 
M.  P.  Horn  : 

A   WELCOME   TO   GEORGE  PEABODY,   ESQ. 

BY    MRS.    JOEL    R.    PEABODY. 

Air—Atdd  Lang  Syne. 

Welcome  !  illustrious  friend  and  guest ! 

Aye,  more  than  welcome  here, 
And  be  the  day  forever  blessed 

That  brings  back  one  so  dear. 

We  bear  not  forth  to  meet  thee.  Sire, 

Armorial  banners, — old ; 
Nor  titled  peers,  to  greet  thee.  Sire, 

Their  castle  gates  unfold. 

But  Danvers  homes,  and  Danvers  hearts, 

Rejoice  to  see  thee  here  ; 
And  love  her  potent  spell  imparts. 

To  aid  the  humble  cheer. 


67 

Full  oft  we've  wished  for  this  glad  hour, 

That  thus  we  might  express, — 
So  far  as  language  has  the  power, — 

Our  deep  indebtedness ; 

Not  only  that  thy  wealth  has  reared 

Yon  Institute  so  fair, 
And  doubly  to  our  hearts  endeared 

The  name  engraven  there  ; 

Nor  that  tliy  happy  years,  begun 

In  this  sequestered  spot. 
Have  never,  as  they  onward  run. 

This  early  home  forgot ; 

« 

But  that  thy  love,  beginning  here. 

Swells  a  wide  circlet  round, 
Till  kindred,  friends,  and  country  dear 

In  its  embrace  are  found. 

Nay,  England's  voice  comes  o'er  the  sea 

To  join  the  proud  acclaim, 
And  boasts  she  has  a  right  to  be 

Remembered  with  thy  name  ! 

In  worth  like  this  we  may  rejoice, 

It  is  above  all  praise  : 
Yet  must  we  one  united  voice 

Of  admiration  raise. 

The  third  sentiment  was  complimentary  to  the  city  of  Bos- 
ton, as  one  of  the  earliest  plantations  of  the  Pilgrims. 

It  was  expected  that  His  Honor  Mayor  Rice  would  be  pres- 
ent to  respond,  but  he,  being  otherwise  engaged,  had  retired. 
The  following  sentiment,  contributed  by  him,  was  read  : 

The  Commercial  Metropolis  of  New  England  cordially  unites  in  the  tribute  of  honor 
and  respect  to  the  distinguished  guest  of  this  occasion. 

The  next  sentiment  was  : 

The  Son  of  that  Governor  of  Massachusetts  whose  name  is  proverbial  for  honesty 
of  purpose  and  integrity  of  heart — the  associate  of  Abbott  Lawrence. 

Responded  to  by  J.  B.  C.  Davis  of  New  York.     He  said  : — 


68 


SPEECH  OF  MR.  DAVIS. 

I  am  very  sorry  there  is  not  some  gentleman  present  whose 
connection  with  New  York  has  heen  longer  than  my  own,  to 
speak  in  her  behalf.  But  I  am  proud,  nevertheless,  upon  an 
occasion  like  the  present,  and  in  the  midst  of  such  an  assem- 
bly, to  have  the  honor  of  representing  the  metropolis  of  Amer- 
ica. We  are  assembled  to-day  to  do  honor  to  a  man  of  com- 
merce,— to  a  man,  Sir,  of  American  commerce, — who  repre- 
sents, more  than  any  other  person,  American  commerce  in  the 
center  of  the  commerce  of  the  world.  And  I  am  proud — it  is 
an  honor  of  which  any  one  might  be  proud — to  be  present  on 
such  an  occasion,  to  represent  the  great  metropolis  of  America 
— a  city  which  sits  like  a  lily  on  the  water's  side,  and  stretches 
its  roots  out  under  the  sea,  drawing  to  itself  life  and  strength 
from  all  the  countries  of  the  world.      [Cheers.] 

We  of  New  York  recognize,  in  the  prosperity  and  advance- 
ment of  your  distinguished  guest,  some  sign  and  some  shadow 
of  the  advancement  and  prosperity  of  New  York  ;  for  we  can 
but  be  aware  that  some  share  of  the  wealth,  which  he  has 
gained  in  such  profusion,  and  which  he  distributes  with  such 
liberality,  has  come,  in  some  measure,  from  his  business  con- 
nection with  our  merchants.  It  is  fitting  that  our  merchants 
should  share  in  rendering  a  tribute  of  respect  and  affection  to 
the  man  who  has  done  so  much  to  honor  the  name  of  Ameri- 
can merchant — who  has  done  that  most  difficult  of  all  things, 
established  a  new  house  in  the  old  metropolis,  and  has  ad- 
vanced the  credit  and  character  of  that  house,  until,  as  has 
been  said  to-day,  it  is  known  throughout  the  world  ;  who  has 
done  so  much  for  American  credit  generally,  and  especially  for 
the  sinking  credit  of  American  States,  in  the  most  difficult 
times ;  and  whose  purse  has  always  been  as  open  for  the  ad- 
vancement of  new  commercial  enterprises  as  it  has  for  works 
of  charity  and  beneficence.  Especially  do  we  remember — and 
I  have  been  reminded  of  it  to-day  by  a  New  York  friend  who 
was  present — that  at  the  time  when  a  merchant  of  New  York 
offered  to  the  United  States  government  the  use   of  two  ves- 


69 

sels,  to  proceed  to  the  Arctic  Seas  in  search  of  Sir  John  Frank- 
lin, it  was  the  money  of  George  Peabody  that  fitted  out  those 
vessels,  and  enabled  them  to  make  those  discoveries  which 
have  brought  so  much  honor  upon  New  York  and  upon  this 
country.      [Great  cheering.] 

It  has  been  my  fortune  to  live  in  New  York  but  a  few  years, 
and  I  cannot  forget,  to-day,  standing  upon  the  soil  of  New 
England,  and  taking  part  in  these  ceremonies,  that  I  have  a 
right  to  be  here  as  a  New  Englander.  I  am  reminded,  also,  in 
the  person  of  your  guest,  of  what  New  England  enterprise  and 
commerce  has  achieved.  I  am  reminded  that  the  great  house 
of  the  Barings,  in  London,  has  been  guided  by  New  England 
counsels  for  the  last  thirty  years,  and  has  imported  some  of  the 
same  stock  to  contiiuie  the  guidance  hereafter.  I  am  remind- 
ed that  the  business  which  Astor  founded  there  has  passed  into 
the  hands  of  a  New  Englander,  who  has  achieved  wealth  and 
position  in  London.  I  am  reminded  that  another  New  Eng- 
lander, a  native  of  Danvers,  has  established  there  another  house, 
which  has  attained  a  proud  position,  and  which  has  also  im- 
ported new  stock  from  New  England  to  continue  it  in  the 
future  on  the  proud  basis  upon  which  it  now  rests.  We  of 
New  York  remember  all  this,  and  are  not  disposed  to  take 
these  laurels  from  New  England. 

Before  sitting  down,  as  I  have  been  myself  many  times  a 
recipient  of  the  munificent  hospitality  of  Mr.  Peabody  in  Lon- 
don, and  as  I  have  been  permitted  for  some  years  past  to  share 
his  friendship,  you  will  permit  me  to  add  a  word  to  what  has 
been  already  said  with  regard  to  his  efforts  to  promote,  by  his 
entertainments  in  London,  good  will  between  Great  Britain 
and  America — two  nations,  between  whom  a  common  lan- 
guage, a  common  literature,  common  interests,  and  common 
pugnacity,  [laughter,]  lay  such  foundation  for  causes  of  diff"er- 
ence.  It  has  been  truly  said  here  to-day — and  more  elo- 
quently than  could  be  said  by  anybody  else — that  what  Mr. 
Peabody  has  done  for  the  last  few  years,  has  tended  much  to 
do  away  with  the  difficulties  that  might  grow  out  of  those 
causes. 


70 

I  especially  remember  one  of  those  entertainments  that  took 
place  during  the  year  of  the  great  Exhibition,  in  1851.  We 
made  rather  a  poor  show  at  the  commencement  of  that  Exhibi- 
tion, and  American  stock  stood  about  as  low  in  the  social  scale 
of  Europe  as  it  could  be,  until  somewhere  about  the  middle  of 
June.  We  had  taken  a  very  large  space  in  the  eastern  end  of 
the  Crystal  Palace — twice  as  much  as  we  needed — we  had 
employed  a  national  vessel  to  bring  our  contributions  to  Eu- 
rope— we  had  put  up  an  immense  eagle,  spreading  quite  across 
the  eastern  wing,  with  a  big  bunch  of  lightning  flashing  from 
his  talons — we  had  opened  those  contributions,  and  we  were 
displaying  some  few  hundred  or  thousand  square  yards  of 
daguerreotypes,  [laughter]  several  bushels  of  shoe-pegs,  [laugh- 
ter] some  excellent  tanned  leather,  with  the  tanner's  name  on 
it  in  gilt  letters,  accompanied  by  his  daguerreotype,  I  believe; 
[great  laughter]  some  beautiful  preserved  peaches,  which  some- 
body sent  out  from  Ohio,  and  which,  when  the  Exhibition 
closed,  were  presented  to  the  Ctueen,  but  I  do  not  know 
whether  she  ate  them  or  not ;  and,  stowed  away  in  some  out- 
of-the-way  corners,  were  some  curious  looking  machines, 
which  nobody  seemed  to  think  or  care  much  about,  and  to 
get  these  into  the  building,  we  had  to  go  to  our  friend  Mr.  Pea- 
body,  and  ask  him  to  furnish  the  money,  which  he  did  with- 
out hesitation  ;  [cheers]  and  it  was  in  the  midst  of  all  these 
discouraging  signs  that  Mr,  Peabody  conceived  the  idea  of  cel- 
ebrating th«  4th  of  July  in  London  by  a  large  ball,  and  that 
the  Duke  of  Wellington,  and  other  eminent  men  among  the 
English  aristocracy  and  in  the  English  political  world,  should 
attend  and  celebrate  it  with  him.     [Loud  cheers.] 

Between  the  time  of  the  conception  of  this  idea  and  the 
time  of  carrying  it  into  execution,  there  elapsed  just  about  the 
time  necessary  to  do  it ;  for  Mr.  Peabody  never  takes  more 
than  that,  between  a  thought  and  the  time  necessary  to  make 
that  thought  a  fact.  [Loud  applause.]  The  ball  came  off.  I 
shall  not  attempt  to  describe  it,  for  language  would  fail  me 
utterly  if  I  should  undertake  to  do  so.  I  can  only  say,  that 
from  the  moment  when,  in  the  saloon  of  Almacks,  the  center 


71 

of  fashion  among  the  beauty  and  weahh,  and  the  most  select 
company  of  England  and  America,  the  hero  of  Waterloo  and 
the  Napoleon  of  American  commerce  walked  arm  in  arm,  there 
began  to  be  manifest  a  change  in  the  feeling  towards  America. 
The  next  week  this  was  followed  by  a  dinner  at  Liverpool,  on 
board  the  Atlantic,  when  the  astonished  English  and  European 
Commissioners  were  shown,  for  the  first  time,  one  of  those 
magnificent  specimens  of  American  enterprise  and  skill,  a 
Collins  steamer ;  and  to  those,  I  may  say,  the  money  of  Mr. 
Peabody  materially  contributed.  Then  came  that  victory  of 
the  yacht  America,  at  Cowes ;  I  knew  not  which  most  to  ad- 
mire, the  gallantry  with  which  the  victory, was  won,  or  the 
gracefulness  with  which  the  vanquished  acknowledged  it. 
Then  came  the  August  scenes,  which  brought  out  some  of 
those  machines,  and  John  Bull  found  that  Mr.  McCormick  was 
essential  to  him ;  and  then  the  Kaffir  war  enabled  Mr.  Colt  to 
dispose  of  many  of  his  pistols  ;  and  then  Hobbs'  locks  came 
up ;  and  before  we  were  through  with  the  Exhibition,  we 
were  fairly  in  danger  of  being  killed  with  kindness;  and,  as 
Mr.  Everett  said,  the  journals  all  united  in  echoing  the  praises 
uttered  by  Lord  Granville  and  Sir  Henry  Bulwer,  at  the  ban- 
quet given  by  Mr.  Peabody  to  the  exhibitors,  before  they 
returned  to  their  own  country. 

Therefore,  Mr.  Chairman,  and  ladies  and  gentlemen,  it  is 
that  I  am  satisfied,  from  my  own  experience  and  observation 
of  what  takes  place  in  England,  that  it  was  to  Mr.  Peabody 
more  than  to  any  one  else,  it  was  owing  that  the  state  of 
feeling  toward  this  country,  not  in  England  alone,  but  through- 
out the  Continent, — which  takes  its  tone  very  much  from  the 
English  press, — was  entirely  changed,  and  the  present  happy 
state  of  things  exists.     [Loud  applause.] 

The  next  sentiment  was  : 

Harvard  University — The  Alma  Mater  of  brilliant  sons.  Our  fathers  established 
the  Homestead  as  a  luminous  standpoint.  The  sons  have  secured  their  reputation 
by  making  it  a  Drummond  light. 

President  Walker  responded  briefly,  as  follows: — 


72 


PRESIDENT  WALKER'S  REMARKS. 

Mr.  President  : — 

I  would  most  respectfully  and  gracefully  acknowledge  the 
honorable  mention  which  has  been  made  of  Harvard  College. 
And  having  done  this,  if  I  were  to  consult  my  own  feelings, 
or,  I  may  add,  my  discretion,  I  should  sit  down.  But  I  con- 
sider, Sir,  that  I  am  indebted  for  the  honor  of  being  here  to 
my  connection  with  the  oldest  literary  institution  in  this  coun- 
try, and  I  feel  that  I  ought  not  to  be  entirely  silent  where  the 
praises  of  the  merchants  are  spoken.  Look  at  our  literary  in- 
stitutions throughout  the  land  !  It  is  hardly  saying  too  much 
to  say  that  our  colleges,  endowed  schools,  public  libraries  and 
institutes,  are  what  our  merchants  have  made  them.  Take 
away  what  has  been  done  by  the  munificence  of  our  mer- 
chants,— take  away  what  our  Perkinses  and  our  Lawrences 
have  done  for  us,  and  we  should  have  to  shut  up  our  halls  and 
lecture  rooms;  or,  rather,  we  should  never  have  had  any  halls 
or  lecture  rooms  to  open.  For  this  reason,  Mr.  President,  Learn- 
ing sends, — I  regret,  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  that  she  has 
no  better  messenger  to-day  — for  these  reasons.  Learning  sends 
her  tribute  to  this  great  peaceful  moral  triumph.     [Applause.] 

The  next  sentiment  was  : 

Old  Salem — The  respected  mother  of  many  chihlren.  Her  daughter  Danvers,  and 
her  grand-daughter  South  Danvas,  tender  to  her  their  filial  salutation. 

His  Honor,  William  S.  Messervy,  Mayor  of  Salem,  respond- 
ed by  saying : — 

MR.   MESSERVY'S   RESPONSE. 

Mr.  President  : — 

The  Americans  are  said  to  be  the  best  makers  of  money  and 
the  worst  spenders  of  it  in  the  world.  No  desire  that  engrosses 
the  mind  of  man,  or  absorbs  the  energies  or  thoughts  of  indi- 
viduals, requires,  for  the  securement  of  its  fruition,  so  small  an 
amount  of  talent  as  that  of  accumulating  wealth.  No  ambition 
is  so  easily  gratified,  and  no  ambition  so  petrifies  the  heart  and 


73 

deadens  the  kindlier  and  nobler  sentiments  of  our  nature,  as  the 
fixed,  one  idea  of  becoming  rich.  And  when  this  one  idea  is 
unmixed  with  private  charity,  with  public  benefactions,  with 
literature,  art  or  science,  the  material  wealth  of  a  country  may 
thereby  be  augmented,  its  sensual  luxuries  may  be  extended, 
but  its  strength  and  importance  must  and  will  be  diminished. 

The  Political  Economist,  who  looks  only  to  the  material 
wealth  of  a  country  as  the  indication  of  its  value,  may  know 
something  of  science,  but  he  understands  but  little  of  human- 
ity. He  is  a  poor  man.  Sir,  who  has  nothing  but  his  wealth 
to  repose  upon.  He  alone  is  rich  and  worthy,  whose  judg- 
ment is  sound,  whose  heart  is  liberal,  and  whose  actions  are 
just  and  disinterested.  Our  Friend — because  the  friend  of 
humanity — whom  we  have  this  day  met  to  greet  and  to  honor, 
commands  our  respect,  our  gratitude  and  admiration,  for  the 
riches  of  his  heart,  for  the  wealth  of  his  mind,  and  for  the 
priceless  worth  of  his  life  and  character,  his  precepts  and  ex- 
ample. 

We  behold  him,  unaided  and  alone,  working  his  way  up 
from  a  very  humble  dwelling,  in  a  very  humble  parish,  and  with 
only  the  limited  education  of  a  very  common  school,  to  the 
highest  positions  of  trust  and  confidence  in  the  commercial 
circles  of  his  own  country,  and  to  still  higher  and  more  confi- 
dential positions  in  the  metropolis  of  the  world.  And  then, 
when  crowned  with  honors,  wealth  and  distinctions, — when 
the  titled,  the  learned  and  the  great  of  the  world  strove  to  no- 
tice and  to  honor  him,  he  puts  them  all  aside,  and  comes  up 
here  to-day,  in  his  own'  native  village,  in  sight  of  the  humble 
home  where  he  was  born,  and  tells  us  that  he  cherishes,  above 
all  other  objects,  the  recollections  of*  his  earlier  days ;  and,  as 
we  behold  him  gazing  upon  the  scenes  of  his  boyhood,  we  can 
almost  hear  the  throbbings  of  his  great  heart,  beating  responsive 
to  the  couplet : 

"  Where'er  I  roam,  whatever  realms  to  see, 
My  heart  untravellcd  fomlly  turns  to  thee." 

This  is  the  man.  Sir,  whom  Salem,  no  less  than  Danvers,  is 
proud  to  recognize,  and  delights  to  honor. 


74 

The  next  regular  sentiment  was : 

TTie  learned  Professor  of  Greek  Literature  in  Harvard  University — Although  his  em- 
inent attainments  ma}'  be  all  Greek  to  us,  his  genial  humor  and  enlivening  wit  are 
plain  English. 

Responded  to  by  Professor  C.  C.  Felton,  substantially  as 
follows : — 

PROFESSOR  C.  C.  FELTON'S  RESPONSE. 

Mr.  Chairman, — 

I  could  not  have  been  more  surprised  had  a  thunder-peal  fallen 
from  the  skies  upon  this  assembly,  than  I  was  to  receive  notice, 
a  ^ev^  moments  ago,  from  your  messenger,  that  you  intended 
to  call  me  up  on  this  occasion.  T  nevertheless  rise  readily  and 
freely,  to  join  with  this  immense  assembly  in  testifying  my  ad- 
miration and  affection  for  the  eminent  man  you  have  delighted 
to  honor  to-day.  But  seeing  his  pleasant  face  before  me  re- 
minds me  of  a  little  incident  that  happened  to  me  in  London. 
Through  his  kindly  interposition — while,  for  a  short  time,  I  was 
in  that  great  "  Babel  of  the  Nations,"  as  it  has  been  not  inappro- 
priately called, — I  received  an  invitation  to  dine  with  the  Royal 
Literary  Fund  Society.  Two  or  three  days  before  the  meet- 
ing I  was  notified  that  I  was  expected  to  respond  to  a  senti- 
ment, and  the  sentiment  was  kindly  communicated,  in  order 
that  I  might  prepare  an  extemporaneous  speech  on  the  occasion. 
[Great  merriment.] 

Although  the  time  I  had  there  was  short,  and  I  wished 
to  devote  it  to  other  purposes,  yet  I  stayed  at  home  and  locked 
my  door,  one  entire  day,  in  the  heart  of  London,  in  order  to 
get  ready  to  respond  to  that  sentiment.  I  wrote  it  out  careful- 
ly, looking  to  see  that  every  verb  had  its  nominative  case,  and 
that  it  agreed,  too,  with  its  nominative  case.  [Laughter.]  I 
knew  that  I  was  to  speak  in  the  presence  of  some  of  the  greatest 
writers  and  most  eminent  men  in  England,  and  I  fancied  that, 
in  my  humble  measure,  I  had  to  speak  for  the  literature  of  the 
United  States.  I  wrote  out  my  speech,  as  I  have  said,  folded 
it  up  carefully,  having  committed  it  to  memory,  put  it  in  my 
pocket,  and  carried  it  with  me  to  that  splendid  entertainment, 


75 

for  fear  my  memory  should  prove  treacherous,  and  I  should 
break  down.  I  did  not  dare  to  eat,  I  did  not  dare  to  drink — 
dinners  and  suppers  there  are  not  exactly  what  they  are  here. 
They  respect  cold  water  mainly  because  it  is  an  excellent 
agent  to  remove  from  face  and  hands  the  soil  of  London  smoke  ; 
and  they  like  a  cup  of  coffee — after  dinner.  [Laughter  and 
applause.]  I  could  only  feast  my  eyes  on  the  brilliant  show, 
and  the  sparkling  glasses.  I  literally  complied  with  the  re- 
quest of  the  lover  in  Ben  Jonson's  song  : — 
"Drink  to  me  only  with  thine  eyes." 

And  so  I  waited  for  my  turn  to  come.  But,  Sir — and  I  have 
been  reminded  of  the  circumstance  to-day,  by  my  friend  Mr. 
Peabody — the  President  of  the  evening  was  the  eloquent  and 
able  D'Israeli,  who  made  two  excellent,  but,  as  a  Yankee 
would  say,  rather  lengthy  speeches,  and  other  gentlemen,  less 
eloquent,  made  speeches  lengthier  still,  so  that  the  evening 
passed  away,  and  the  toasts  had  not  got  down  within  six  of  the 
one  to  which  I  was  to  respond,  and  I  Avent  home  with  that 
exieviporaneotis  speech  in  my  coat  pocket.  [Laughter.]  I  car- 
ried it  over  Europe, — I  carried  it  to  Turkey,  but  the  Turks 
are  not  addicted  to  dinner  speeches, — and  1  brought  it  home  to 
America  ;  but  from  that  time  to  this  I  have  had  no  opportunity  of 
making  it ;  and  if  I  had  dreamed  of  being  called  up  here  to-day, 
I  should  certainly  have  taken  it  in  my  pocket  along  with  me. 

Voices — Let's  have  it  ! 

Prof.  Felton — It  is  not  here. 

Mr.  Peabody — I  hope  you  will  bring  it  to  London. 

Prof.  Felton — Most  certainly  I  will;  and  at  the  next  cele- 
bration in  this  town,  in  honor  of  Mr.  Peabody,  I  promise  to  put 
that  speech  in  my  pocket.      [Applause.] 

I  think,  Mr.  President,  I  may  say  that  I,  also,  have  some 
personal  claim  to  stand  up  here,  and  say  a  single  word  to-day. 
If  I  mistake  not,  men  of  my  name,  blood  and  lineage,  for  more 
than  two  hundred  years,  have  lived  in  Old  Danvers.  I  think 
the  ancestor  from  whom  I  am  directly  descended  came  here 
in  1G36,  and  from  that  day  to  this,  I  believe,  the  name  has  not 
been   wanting  among  the  useful  citizens  of  this  town ;  and  I 


16 

feel,  therefore,  a  certain  share  of  personal  pride  in  the  honors 
which  you  this  day,  citizens  of  Danvers,  have  assembled  to  be- 
stow upon  your  illustrious  fellow-citizen.  I  say  illustrious, 
for  if  any  man  is  illustrious,  it  is  he  who,  going  forth  with 
nothing  but  his  hands  and  his  character,  as  has  been  so  well 
said  by  one  of  the  speakers,  and  engaging  in  the  struggles  of 
life  in  the  mightiest  metropolis  of  the  world,  returns,  after  an 
interval  which,  long  as  it  is,  is  only  a  short  one  in  which  to 
have  accomplished  such  triumphs,  with  his  princely  fortune, 
his  honorable  fame,  and  more  than  princely  heart,  to  meet  the 
companions  of  his  childhood,  and  to  be  welcomed  by  the  citi- 
zens of  the  town  whom  his  munificence  has  blessed,  and  will 
bless  forever.      [Loud  applause.] 

Mr.  President,  I  am  one  of  that  famous  tribe  of  "  wandering 
Arabs"  who  have  crossed  the  ocean,  and  have  shared  in  the 
hospitalities  of  your  distinguished  guest ;  and  I  am  indebted  to 
him — it  is  not  egotism  that  prompts  me  to  say  it,  but  a  desire 
to  add  my  tribute  to  the  chaplet  of  honor  with  which  you  have 
crowned  him  to-day — I  am  indebted  to  him,  I  say,  for  much  of 
my  enjoyment  in  the  old  world.  I  reached  London  a  stranger 
to  him,  having  no  letter  of  introduction  to  him,  not  even 
letter  of  credit.  [Laughter.]  He  sought  me  out,  and  invited 
me  to  one  of  those  almost  regal  entertainments ;  and  the  hours 
that  I  spent  in  the  society  gathered  by  him  on  that  delightful 
occasion,  are  among  the  most  pleasant  reminiscences  of  my 
foreign  tour.  I  well  remember  the  society  brought  together  on 
that  occasion.  The  noble  sons  and  lovely  daughters  of  Eng- 
land came,  honoring  by  their  presence  your  fellow-citizen,  who 
had  honored  them  by  his  invitation — and  they  felt  it  so ;  and 
there  I  listened  to  words  of  friendship  towards  the  American 
nation  which  would  make  every  heart  in  this  assembly  throb 
with  delight  if  they  could  hear  them,  as  I  heard  them,  spoken 
by  the  most  eloquent  lips  of  England. 

I  think,  Mr.  President,  if  there  is  any  Englishman  here  pres- 
ent, he  must  have  felt  that  the  sentiment  of  friendship  for  that 
great  and  illustrious  nation — the  foremost  nation  in  modern 
civilization,  the  great   bulwark  of  liberty,  whose  language,  as 


77 

has  been  well  and  truly  said  by  one  of  their  great  writers,  is 
the  only  language  upon  the  face  of  the  earth  in  which  the 
accents  of  freedom  can  be  uttered — is  congenial  to  the  American 
heart ;  he  must  have  felt  that  the  words  of  good  will  so  often 
uttered  on  those  festive  occasions  of  which  Mr.  Peabody  was 
the  originator,  have  found  a  ready  response  from  the  people  of 
this  countrj'",  as  proved  by  this  multitudinous  assembly.  And  I 
must  confess — Republican  as  I  am,  ultra  Republican  as  I  am, 
[cheers] — that  my  heart  beat  quicker  when  the  mention  of  the 
Royal  Lady  of  England  was  received  with  three  hearty  cheers 
from  this  republican  assembly ;  for  that  Sovereign  Lady  illus- 
trates, in  her  high  position,  all  those  domestic  and  household  vir- 
tues, which,  while  they  give  dignity  to  the  lowliest  position,  are 
the  ornament  and  the  pride  of  the  most  exalted.  It  is  true  we 
owe  her  no  political  allegiance  ;  but  the  virtues  of  the  Queen 
of  England,  while  they  secure  to  her  the  love  and  loyalty  of 
her  subjects,  entitle  her  to  the  willing  fealty  of  every  honorable 
man  in  republican  America.      [Loud  cheers.] 

Mr.  President,  I  know  of  no  man,  whose  position,  at  this 
moment,  is  so  proud  and  enviable,  as  that  of  Mr.  Peabody. 
After  a  long  absence,  he  returns  to  his  native  town,  under 
extraordinary  circumstances,  and  with  more  than  a  Roman 
triumph.  He  returns  at  a  season  of  the  year  when  field  and 
forest  are  clothed  in  the  rich  variety  of  blending  colors  which 

"  Nature's  own  sweet  and  cunning  hand  laid  on ;" 

and  here,  under  this  beautiful  sky  of  October,  is  welcomed  by 
this  vast  assemblage  of  men  and  women,  all  gathered  to  do  him 
honor — and  not  lip  honor, — but  that  which  flows  from  grateful 
hearts  and  minds  enriched — from  hearts  grateful  not  for  them- 
selves alone,  but  for  posterity — for  the  future  generations,  who 
shall  drink  from  the  fountain  of  knowledge  he  has  opened,  to 
flow  on  and  flow  forever,  a  perennial  and  perpetual  blessing. 
As  I  have  looked  over  this  assembly,  and  seen  these  bright  eyes 
suffused,  and  these  lovely  countenances  flushed  with  joy  in 
welcoming  home  again  your  distinguished  fellow-citizen,  I 
confess  I  have  envied  him ;  and  I  could  not  help  smiling,  as  I 
remembered  that,  among  the  duties  usually  thought  to  belong 


78 

to  the  man  and  the  citizen,  there  is  one  which  Mr.  Peabody 
has  failed  to  perform — I  say  I  could  not  help  smiling  to  notice, 
that  in  spite  of  Mr.  Peabody's  short-comings  in  this  respect — 
the  photographic  portrait  of  that  pleasant  countenance,  the 
"counterfeit  presentment"'  of  our  beloved  friend,  adorns  full 
many  a  fair  and  happy  breast  around  me.*  [Laughter  and  ap- 
plause.] 

I  will  not  detain  you  longer.  My  thoughts  this  afternoon 
have  been  running  on  the  Beatitudes,  rather  than  on  other 
portions  of  the  Scriptures,  and  if  you  will  allow  me,  I  will 
close  by  offering  one  of  them,  with  all  reverp-nce,  as  a  senti- 
ment : — 

"Blessed  are  the  peacemakers  "      [Loud  cheei's.] 

At  the  conclusion  of  Prof.  Felton's  remarks,  the  following 
original  Ode  was  sung  : — 

ODE. 

BY    MRS.    GEORGE    A.    OSBORNE. 

Air — America. 

Our  Friend !  the  people's  friend, 
We  now  our  voices  blend 

To  welcome  thee. 
Thy  glad  return  we  greet, 
With  joy  this  day  we  meet. 
Our  hearts  with  ardor  beat. 

Thy  face  to  see. 

Great  in  thy  well  proved  worth. 
The  land  that  gave  thee  birth 

Welcomes  her  son. 

Though  far  beyond  the  sea, 

Thy  chosen  home  may  be. 

We  ne'er  will  speak  of  thee, 

But  as  our  own. 

A  friend  in  word  and  deed. 
And  in  our  country's  need. 

Thou  ever  art. 
Thou  hast,  with  loving  hand, 
Joined  in  a  friendly  band. 
This  with  our  father-land. 

In  hand  and  heart. 

*  Many  of  the  ladies  wore  the  likeness  of  Mr.  Peabody  set  in  their  breastpins. 


79 

Right  nobly  hast  thou  shed 
Rich  blessings  on  our  hjad. 

Thy  native  town. 
And  made  it  our  birthright, 
To  bask  in  wisdom's  light, 
With  knowledge,  truth  and  right, 

Our  lives  to  crown. 

Then  swell  the  grateful  strain 
Of  Welcome  still  again ; 

Long  life  to  thee. 
May  God  upon  thy  head. 
His  richest  blessings  shed. 
And  thou  at  last  be  led 

With  Him  to  be. 

The  next  regular  sentiment  was  : 

The  memory  of  Abbott  Lawrence. 

The  President  called  upon  Mr.  Charles  Hale,  of  Boston,  to 
respond  to  this  sentiment. 

MR.  HALE'S  REMARKS. 

Mr.  H.  rose  and  said  that  he  regretted,  as  he  felt  sure  all 
those  present  must  regret,  that  accidental  circumstances  had 
prevented  the  attendance  on  this  most  agreeable  occasion  of 
any  person  bearing  the  name  of  Mr.  Lawrence  who  might  more 
appropriately  than  himself  answer  to  the  sentiment  that  had 
just  been  proposed.  But  since  I  have  been  called  upon,  (said 
he) — Boston  boy  as  I  am,  and  taught  in  one  of  those  Boston 
schools  which  has  been  decorated  with  the  bounty  of  Mr.  Law- 
rence,— I  should  be  false  to  the  place  of  my  birth  and  to  my 
training  if  I  hesitated  to  answer  the  summons.  It  is  fit  that 
Mr.  Lawrence's  name  should  be  remembered  to-day  ;  not  that 
anything  need  be  said  of  the  excellence  of  his  life  or  the  great 
importance  of  his  public  services,  but  because  this  is  a  celebra- 
tion in  which  he  would  have  delighted  to  participate.  It  would 
have  afforded  him  peculiar  pleasure  to  unite  in  doing  honor  to 
our  distinguished  guest.  Mr.  Lawrence  knew  Mr.  Peabody 
well ;  and  could  appreciate  him.  As  United  States  minister 
in  London  he  had  many  opportunities  of  witnessing  Mr.  Pea- 


80 

body's  generous  hospitalities  and  valuable  services  extended  to 
his  fellow-countrymen  ;  and  after  his  return  to  America,  he 
assisted  in  laying  the  corner  stone  of  that  noble  Institute,  which 
will  perpetuate  the  name  of  Peabody  until  the  latest  genera- 
tion. He  knew  the  value  of  Mr.  Peabody "s  exertions  in  pro- 
moting a  better  acquaintance  between  the  people  of  Great 
Britain  and  the  United  States,  by  means  of  those  magnificent 
festive  occasions  to  which  allusion  has  already  been  made. 
His  sense  of  gratitude  to  Mr.  Peabody  is  set  forth  in  a  letter, 
(not  before  published,)  which  Mr.   H.   proceeded   to  read,  as 

follows  : — 

Legation  of  the  United  States, 

138  Piccadilly,  July  5,  1851. 

My  Dear  Mr.  Peabody, — I  should  be  unjust  to  myself  and  to  our 
country,  as  its  representative  at  this  court,  if  I  were  not  to  offer  my  ac- 
knowledgments and  heartfelt  thanks  for  myself  and  our  country,  for 
the  more  than  regal  entertainment  you  gave  to  me  and  mine,  and  to 
our  countrymen  generally,  now  in  London,  in  commemoration  of  one 
of  the  most  important  events  in  the  political  history  of  the  world.  The 
results  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  of  the  thirteen  North  Amer- 
ican British  Colonies,  in  1776,  are  yet  but  partially  developed ;  enough, 
however,  has  been  realized  to  satisfy  a  portion  of  mankind  that  human 
freedom  is  their  birthright,  and  that  man  is  capable  of  self-government, 
and  will  sooner  or  later  demand  and  obtain  civil  and  religious  liberty. 
Our  country  has  successfully  illustrated  this  proposition.  I  glory  in 
the  magnitude,  resources,  prosperity  and  power  of  the  Union.  Your 
idea  of  bringing  together  the  inhabitants  of  two  of  the  greatest  nations 
upon  earth,  connected  by  the  ties  of  blood  with  a  common  ancestry, 
and  a  thousand  interesting  and  endearing  associations,  was  a  most 
felicitous  conception,  and  will,  I  trust,  be  productive  in  consummating 
that  harmony  of  international  feeling  which  should  exist  between  parent 
and  child.  I  am  quite  certain  that  the  effects  of  bringing  together 
British  and  American  people  on  the  4th  of  July,  will  not  be  limited 
to  the  two  countries.  There  is  not  a  despotic  government  in  Europe 
that  will  not  pause  and  reflect  upon  this  extraordinary  meeting,  of 
which  you  have  been  the  author  and  finisher.  I  congratulate  you  upon 
the  distinguished  success  that  has  crowned  your  efforts.  Your  reward 
must  be  found  in  the  consciousness  of  having  done  that  which  was 
never  before  attempted,  and  which  has  resulted  most  successfully,  by 
proving  that  the  time  had  arrived  when  the  people  of  both  countries 
could  meet  together  and  sacrifice  upon  the  altar  of  a  common  ancestry 
their  former  prejudices.  I  hope  and  believe  that  this  kind  international 
feeling  may  strengthen  with  age,  and  that  you  may  long  live  to  enjoy 
the  fruits  of  the  patriotic  sentiments  that  prompted  the  performance  of 
this  full,  large-hearted  action. 

With  a  renewal  of  my  grateful  thanks  for  this   testimonial   to  my 


81 

family  and  myself,  I   am,  my  dear   Mr.  Peabody,  most  faithfully  your 
friend  and  obedient  servant,  Abbott  Lawrence. 

George  Pbabody,  Esq. 

That  is  the  testimony  borne  by  Mr.  Lawrence  (continued 
Mr.  H.)  to  the  value  of  Mr.  Peabody's  services  in  cultivating 
friendly  relations  between  these  two  great  nations.  And  the 
plan  is  indeed  an  admirable  one.  In  both  of  these  countries, 
the  government  is  sensitive  to  public  opinion  ;  and  if  the  peo- 
ple wish  peace — whatever  be  the  inclinations  of  their  rulers, 
an  interruption  of  friendly  relations  is  impossible.  Mr.  Peabody 
understands  this.  He  sows  the  seeds  of  Peace ;  and  the  fruit 
cannot  be  war.  This  is  good  philosophy,  sound  statesman- 
ship. Its  practice  is  a  step  towards  that  glorious  second  golden 
age,  of  which  the  British  poet-laureate  has  sung — 

When  the  war  drums  throb  no  longer,  and  the  battle-flags  are  furled 
In  the  Parliament  of  man,  the  Federation  of  the  World. 

The  following  volunteer  sentiment  was  read,  and  Hon,  G. 
W,  Warren,  Ex-Mayor  of  Charlestown,  was  called  upon  : 

The  Trans- Atlantic  Drinking  Cap,  made  of  Danvers  Oak — Of  such  cups  aa  these 
there  cannot  be  "  a  cup  too  much." 

Mr.  Warren  responded,  and  gave  : 

Oar  Guest — He  may  be  excused  for  not  taking  a  wife,  because  he  lias' bestowed 
his  whole  affection  upon  his  native  town. 

The  next  sentiment  was  : 

Scientia  Jwis — Old  mother  Salem  has  been  prolific  in  distinguished  jurists.  In 
running  along  the  line  of  time,  through  Story,  Pickering,  Saltonstall,  and  others  of 
the  past,  she  proudly  presents  the  two  Lords,  Huntington,  and  their  honored  a^o- 
I'.iates  of  to-day. 

Hon.  Otis  P.  Lord  was  called  for,  but  he  did  not  respond. 
The  next  sentiment  was  then  given : — 

Judge  White,  of  Salem — The  retired  jurist,  of  Salem,  still  devoting  himself  to  his 
love  of  science  and  letters — he  rcmarkal)ly  illustrates  the  motto,  "  Otiwn  Cftm  ditj- 
nitate." 

Judge  White  responded  briefly,  as  follows : — 
6 


82 


JUDGE  WHITE'S  RESPONSE. 

Mr.  President  : — 

I  have  but  a  word  to  say,  and  that  must  be  superfluous  after 
all  that  has  been  so  well  said  by  others.  Till  this  bright 
morning  opened  upon  us,  I  had  little  hope  that  I  should  be 
able  to  be  with  you  to-day,  though  determined  to  come  if  my 
strength  would  bring  me  here.  I  heartily  thank  you,  Sir,  and 
other  friends  of  Danvers,  for  all  the  manifestations  I  have  re- 
ceived of  your  kindness.  Three  times  before  the  present  I 
have  been  honored  by  your  welcome  reception.  First,  on 
your  glorious  Centennial  Anniversary,  a  celebration  more  deep- 
ly interesting  to  me  than  any  I  had  ever  attended  in  my  whole 
life.  There  certainly  must  be  among  the  people  of  Danvers 
not  only  the  requisite  spirit,  but  genius  and  taste  of  no  ordi- 
nary quality,  to  render  such  celebrations  in  the  highest  degree 
attractive.  Next  came  the  foundation  of  the  Peabody  Insti- 
tute, the  laying  of  the  corner-stone ;  and  then  followed  the 
dedication  of  the  edifice  to  the  important  purposes  of  the  Insti- 
tute. All  these  occasions  were  made  as  delightful  to  your 
friends  as  they  were  honorable  to  yourselves.  This  day 
crowns  the  whole,  and  I  rejoice  with  you  in  the  triumphant 
success  of  your  Jubilee  of  Gratitude. 

It  affords  me  the  richest  gratification  to  join  with  you  in 
honoring  a  benefactor  who  is  so  worthy  of  all  honor  ;  one,  too, 
whose  estimable  character  in  early  life  was  well  known  to  me, 
and  whose  virtues  and  manly  bearing  and  beneficent  public 
spirit  have  inspired  me  with  profound  respect.  We  delight  to 
honor  such  a  man.  not  for  his  wealth,  nor  for  his  brilliant 
career  of  prosperity  and  his  princely  fortune  ;  but  for  his  per- 
sonal worth.  Wealth  in  itself  is  entitled  to  no  special  honor ; 
in  its  right  use,  ''there  all  the  honor  lies."  Fortunes,  even 
princely  fortunes,  spring  up  sometimes  like  Jonah's  gourd,  and 
prove  of  as  little  value  to  the  possessor  or  to  the  world.  It  is 
the  man  that  we  honor  on  this  occasion,  the  intrinsic  man ;  it 
IS  the  wise  head  knowing  the  uses  of  money  as  well  as  the 
means  of  acquiring  it,  and  comprehending  all  its  best  uses ;  it 


83 

is  the  great  heart  nobly  sustaining  great  wealth  and  making  it 
a  blessing  to  mankind ;  it  is  the  generous  soul  which  swells 
with  increasing  possessions  and  expands  with  opportunities  of 
beneficent  action,  rising  to  heaven  in  its  responsibilities  and 
aspirations. 

Among  the  happiest  moments  of  my  life  were  those  I  en- 
joyed at  your  memorable  Centennial  Celebration,  when  was 
first  announced  the  munificent  benefaction  made  by  your  hon- 
ored guest  for  the  moral  and  intellectual  advancement  of  the 
people  of  his  native  town  in  all  coming  time.  Then,  in  the 
benefactor's  absence,  I  had  the  heartfelt  pleasure  to  express  the 
deep  sense  which  I  entertained  of  his  merits, — his  rare  union 
of  sagacity,  benevolence  and  patriotism  in  the  use  of  abundant 
wealth,  and  his  enduring  claims  upon  the  gratitude  and  respect 
of  all  his  countrymen. 

Allow  me,  Sir,  to  close  these  brief  remarks  with  a  sentiment 
which  is  the  ardent  wish  of  my  heart : — 

Perpetual  happiness  to  the  benefaetor  whom  we  honor ;  and  may  his  noble  exam- 
ple in  the  use  of  wealth  be  followed  by  all  who  are  alike  successful  in  acquiring  it 

The  next  sentiment  was : 

The  Granite  State — Our  festival  is  graced  by  one  of  her  most  eminent  sons,  who8« 
services  at  home  and  abroad  deserve  and  shall  receive  our  grateful  remembrance. 

Judge  Upham,  of  New  Hampshire,  Avas  called  upon  to  reply. 

JUDGE  UPHAM'S  REMARKS. 

He  commenced  by  thanking  the  President  for  the  compli- 
mentary allusion  to  New  Hampshire,  and  that  he  desired  only 
to  say  of  it  at  this  time  that  it  was  one  of  the  earliest  States  to 
come  into  the  Union,  and  he  trusted  it  would  be  one  of  the 
last  to  go  out.  [Cheers.]  He  also  thanked  the  Committee  for 
the  opportunity  of  being  present  on  this  interesting  occasion. 

I  know  of  nothing,  he  remarked,  that  can  be  more  gratify- 
ing to  an  individual  than,  after  a  long  absence  from  his  native 
town,  to  be  received  with  the  kindness  and  cordiality  the  peo- 
ple of  Danvers  have  manifested  to  their  distinguished  citizen, 
to-day. 


84 

Yon  have  tokens  of  his  remembrance  permanently  about 
yon,  that  will  avail  for  the  benefit  of  your  children  and  your 
children's  children.  You  complete  this  day  the  circle  of  kind- 
ness by  showing  your  high  appreciation  of  the  man,  and  your 
gratitude  to  your  noble  benefactor.  It  is  delightful  to  us  who 
have  our  own  personal  obligations  to  thank  him  for,  to  unite 
our  tribute  with  yours,  and  to  acknowledge  that  wider  circuit 
of  obligation  that  is  felt  by  his  friends  throughout  the  entire 
country. 

He  has  not  permitted  us  to  do  it  elsewhere  by  any  public 
demonstration  in  his  behalf,  and  we  come  up  hither  to  the 
shrine  nearest  his  heart  to  bid  him  our  thanks  and  welcome 
here. 

I  had  long  an  opportunity  of  witnessing  those  international 
courtesies  and  kindnesses,  which  he  was  the  medium  of  ex- 
tending to  citizens  both  of  his  native  and  adopted  country ; 
and  I  can  bear  witness  to  their  effect  in  removing  asperities 
and  jealousies,  so  liable  to  arise  among  people  who  are  such 
keen  competitors  in  the  race  of  honors.  He  has  been  a  public 
benefactor  in  this  respect. 

He  has  succeeded  in  the  bold  attempt  to  unite  Englishmen 
and  Americans  in  the  celebration  of  our  nation's  jubilee,  and 
Wellington  on  such  occasions  has  known  how  to  do  honor  to 
Ihimself,  by  honoring  the  memory  of  Washington.  [Applause.] 
And  Royalty  has  paid  grateful  tribute  to  the  memory  of  a  day 
that  displaced,  in  a  righteous  cause,  the  brightest  jewel  from 
its  crown. 

Sir,  we  all  desire  to  do  honor  to  a  man  who  strives  to  con- 
tribute to  the  harmony  and  peace  of  nations. 

If  he  is  entitled  to  the  reward  of  a  benefactor  who  makes 
two  blades  of  grass  grow  where  one  grew  before,  he  certainly 
is  far  more  entitled  to  it,  who  substitutes,  instead  of  the  rank 
weeds  of  pride  and  prejudice,  the  kindly  affections  of  respect 
and  regard. 

He  closed  by  proposing  to  offer  as  a  sentiment : 

George  Peahody — The  private  man,  yet  public  citizen.  The  individual  who  rep- 
resents not  merely  his  own  great  heart,  but  brings  together,  in  fraternal  regard,  the 
.united  hearts  of  two  great  nations. 


85 

Judge  Upham's  remarks  and  toast  were  received  with  loud 
applause. 

The  next  regular  toast  was  : 

The  Intercourse  of  the  People  of  England  and  the  United  States — The  mutual  and 
reciprocal  interchange  of  individual  courtesies  tends  to  mutual  advantage,  and 
increases  mutual  prosperity. 

Mr.  James  Carruthers,  of  England,  was  called  on  to  re- 
spond. 

MR.  CARRUTHER'S  REMARKS. 

He  said  he  should  regret  if  the  record  of  this  meeting 
went  to  England  without  some  one  to  answer  for  her  island 
queen  and  island  people.  He  had  seen  that  day  the  Cross  of 
St.  George  waving  alternately  with  the  Stars  and  Stripes  ;  he 
had  heard  the  strains  of  both  Hail  Columhia  and  God  Save  the 
Queen.  [Applause.]  He  had  just  been  asked  wherein  this 
demonstration  differed  from  any  he  had  elsewhere  seen.  It  was 
wholly  individual  in  character,  as  distinct  from  mere  corporate 
or  municipal  action.  It  appeared  that  each  individual  found  in 
the  guest  of  the  occasion  the  realization  of  his  highest  ideal  of 
American  characteristics.  In  a  more  enlarged  sense,  they  were 
paying  homage  to  a  principle  of  individual  action  that  was  fast 
giving  ascendancy  to  Americans,  amidst  the  nations  of  the  earth. 
Each  American  had  the  deepest  possible  interest  in  being 
known,  so  as  to  be  freed  from  the  biassed  judgment  of  nations 
who  reasoned  on  narrower  and  more  selfish  grounds.  When 
we  look  to  the  unchangeable  bases  of  the  great  code  of  indi- 
vidual justice,  from  which  emanated  American  institutions — 
when  it  was  remembered  that  these  principles  had  their  assent 
in  the  consciences  of  all  men — it  was  marvellous  that  other 
nations  should  have  been  so  slow  to  adopt  any  portion  of  them 
in  their  mutual  and  reciprocal  interchange,  not  only  of  cour- 
tesies but  of  duties.  An  American  banker  in  London  stood  in 
a  proud  position  to  illustrate  the  character  of  his  countrymen. 
His  own  institution  was  individual  in  character.  It  was  es- 
tablished by  its  own  profits,  supported  by  its  own  means,  and 


86 

stood  on  its  own  resources.  Mr.  C.  proceeded  to  say  that  he 
had  no  need  to  tell  how  Mr.  Peabody  was  appreciated  in  Eng- 
land ;  still  less  how  his  fame  had  been  echoed  back.  The 
presence  of  the  ladies  was  the  sign  manual  of  the  character  of 
his  reception.  He  need  not  put  to  the  Governor, — or  any  of 
the  legislative  members,  the  query  of  a  speaker  of  the  House 
of  Commons,  who,  spying  some  ladies  in  the  gallery  peeping 
over  the  gentlemen's  shoulders,  called  out,  "  What  borough  do 
these  ladies  serve  for?"  Such  men  as  yourself,  said  Mr.  C, 
turning  to  Mr.  Peabody,  are  the  true  pacificators  of  the  day, 
and  in  the  interests  you  promote  and  conserve,  we  recognize 
the  only  secure  foundation  of  an  alliance. 

Hon.  C.  W.  Upham  responded  to  the  following  sentiment : 

Our  Country — Great  in  its  resources  and  great  in  its  achievements ;  let  it  also  b« 
great  in  its  influence  for  good  in  the  family  of  nations. 

SPEECH  OF  HON.  CHARLES  W.  UPHAM. 

Mr.  President, — 

In  participating,  on  this  occasion,  I  feel  the  force  of  the  mo- 
tive that  will  bring  hundreds  of  our  fellow-citizens,  in  every 
part  of  the  country,  to  cross  the  path  of  the  honored  guest  of 
the  day — gratitude  for  kind  attentions  to  members  of  our  fam- 
ilies, while  visiting  the  great  metropolis  of  the  commercial 
world,  to  whose  hospitalities  he  has  long  contributed  a  truly 
princely  share. 

His  presence  here,  in  his  native  land  and  his  native  village  ; 
the  recollection  of  the  influence  he  has  steadily  exerted  to 
bring  together  and  make  as  one  household  the  people  of  Great 
Britain  and  America,  and  the  cordial,  liberal  tone  of  the  senti- 
ments expressed  at  this  happy  festival,  all  conspire  in  leading 
my  thoughts  forward  to  a  glorious  future  for  the  civilized 
world. 

Two  of  the  first-rate  powers  of  the  earth  speak  the  same 
language,  have  to  a  considerable  extent  similar  institutions  of 
representative  government  and  popular  liberty,  and  are  in- 
spired with  the  same  vital  and  immortal  element  of  religious 


87 

truth.  They  already  command  the  commerce  of  the  world  ; 
and  are  destined  to  realize  for  their  noble  speech,  and  the  great 
principles  of  liberty  and  law  it  carries  with  it  wherever  it  goes, 
a  universal  dominion.  It  is  the  language  of  the  British  Isles  and 
of  all  the  vast  world-wide  possessions  of  that  empire.  It  will 
be  the  language  of  all  North  America.  It  will  be  planted  eve- 
rywhere by  the  commerce  of  these  two  nations.  The  mischief 
of  Babel  will,  at  last,  be  repaired,  every  wall  of  partition  re- 
moved, and  the  whole  world  be  made  one. 

The  contemplation  of  such  a  final  result  is  grateful  to  the 
mind,  because  it  authorizes  the  hope  that  permanent  peace 
will  accompany  the  spread  of  one  language.  This,  however, 
will  depend  upon  the  relations  to  each  other  which  England 
and  America  organize  and  establish  now.  If  a  spirit  of  harmo- 
ny, good  will,  and  true  friendship  is  preserved  between  them, 
it  will  impart  its  tone  to  the  literature  and  whole  life  of  the 
people  of  both  nations ;  and  as  they  go  on,  hand  in  hand,  in 
the  mighty  progress  of  their  wealth,  in  the  all-pervading  ex- 
tension of  their  commerce,  in  the  diffusion  of  their  principles, 
social  elements,  manners,  and  language,  the  blessings  of  peace 
and  love  will  follow  in  their  track.  The  prospects  of  humani- 
ty do,  indeed,  thus  depend  upon  continuing  friendly  relations, 
and  deepening  friendly  feelings  between  these  two  countries. 

Our  honored  guest  has  performed  a  great  part  in  promoting 
this  end.  The  occasion  itself  symbolizes  the  idea  I  have  sug- 
gested. We  have  met  to  welcome  one  who  is  a  living  bond  of 
union  between  these  two  nations.  He  belongs  to  them  both. 
Long  years  and  great  transactions  give  him  a  home  there. 
The  untra veiled,  undimmed  affections  of  childhood  and  youth, 
and  a  constant  series  of  acts  of  beneficent  remembrance  of  his 
native  town,  have  preserved  a  home  for  him  here.  From  these 
scenes  his  heart  has  never  been  estranged.  In  his  life  and 
deeds.  Old  and  New  England  come  together.  They  illustrate 
the  sentiment  I  now  beg  leave  to  propose : 

England  and  America — Their  best  benefactors  and  truest  patriots  are  those  wh* 
seek  to  establish  and  perpetuate  a  cordial  friendship  between  them. 


m 


ODE. 

BY    HARRIET    W.    PRESTON, 

A  Mbdai.  Scholar  op  the  Holten  Hioh  School,  Dahvebs. 

Tune — Auld  Lang  Si/ne, 

Thrice  welcome  to  thy  native  land  ! 

Long  hath  thine  exile  been ; 
And  few  and  changed,  the  early  friends 

Who  greet  thee  back  again. 
But  thou  art  not  a  stranger,  where 

Thy  lavish  gifts  have  come, 
And  we,  who  honored  thee  afar. 

With  joy  receive  thee  home. 

Oh  !  noble  heart  that  wealth  and  power 

Could  never  warp  or  chill ; 
And  open  hand  that,  every  hour. 

Obeys  the  kindly  will ; 
Oft,  as  across  the  ocean  wave, 

To  us  their  carrier  flew  ; 
We  longed,  ourselves,  like  power  to  have 

And  souls  to  use  it  too. 

Our  full  hearts  have  not  fitly  shown 

Their  gratitude  and  pride  ; 
But  all  the  landscape  thou  hast  known 

Hath  Autumn  gibrified. 
And  in  the  blue  of  stainless  skies 

Her  silver  flags  unrolled, 
And  decked  for  thee,  the  forest  ranks. 

With  scarlet  and  with  gold. 


TOASTS  AND  SENTIMENTS. 

We  annex  some  of  the  toasts  and  sentiments  offered  at  the 
table,  which  were  not  announced  for  want  of  time. 

Rufus  Choate — An  adopted  son  of  old  J)anvers.  Here  he  won  his  first  garlands, 
and  here  will  his  well  earned  fame  be  cherished. 

Professor  Agassiz — Switzerland,  his  native  land — ^America,  his  adopted  country. 
His  reputation  for  science  belongs  to  the  world. 

The  Mouth  of  the  Menimac — The  city  planted  there  proves  by  her  works  she  forgets 
not  the  reputation  she  has  to  sustain  for  her  early  commerce  and  enterprise. 

H(m.  George  Bancroft — The  truthful  and  brilliant  writer  of  his  country's  history. 
May  the  time  be  very  long  before  another  pen  shall  need  to  record  his  own. 


m 

Hon.  Robert  C.  Winthrop — Whose  comprehensive  statesmanship  and  graccfal  ora- 
tory have  added  lustre  to  a  name  justly  celebrated  in  the  early  history  of  our  Com- 
monwealth. 

The  Scholar — Wliose  varied  accomplishments  and  classic  tastes  have  been  the  ad- 
miration of  students  and  men  of  letters — the  friends  of  the  Peabody  Institute  desire 
to  hear  the  voice  of  the  Hon.  George  S.  Hillard. 

The  City  of  Philadelphia — Its  brotherly  love  has  prompted  it  to  extend  the  frater- 
nal hand  to  us  in  our  endeavors  to  do  honor  to  our  distinguished  Benefactor.  We 
cordially  return  the  grasp. 

Baltimore,  the  Monumental  City — Her  proudest  monuments  are  the  intelligence, 
energy  and  integrity  of  her  citizens. 

The  States  of  the  Union  and  the  Union  of  the  States — Mutually  dependent,  one  can- 
not exist  without  the  other. 

Nathaniel  Bowditch,  the  La  Place  of  Avierica — To  England  and  the  United  States 
the  sole  interpreter  of  the  "  Mecanique  Celeste."  Danvers  feels  proud  of  the  hum- 
ble dwelling  where  the  infant  Philosopher  took  his  first  "  lunar  observations"  from 
the  lap  of  his  mother. 

Hon.  Henry  Barnard — The  able  champion  of  Free  Schools.  Although  Rhode 
Island  and  Connecticut  owe  him  special  acknowledgments,  a  debt  of  gratitue  is  due 
to  him  from  our  whole  country. 

By  Hon.  Richard  S.  Rogers  of  Salem. 
Peabody  Institute — A  monument  of  munificent  generosity  by  a  native  son  of  Old 
Danvers.  One  no  less  honored  abroad,  than  beloved  at  home.  He  has  reared  an 
edifice  that  will  render  the  ancient  name  imperishable,  and  added  a  link  to  bind  the 
people  of  the  tv/o  towns  more  firmly  together,  though  separated  by  a  name.  May 
they  gratefully  appreciate  its  usefulness  and  blessings  to  all  future  times. 

The  Great  Names  of  England — Alfred,  Bacon,  Shaksfeare,  and  Milton. 
They  are  ours  by  inheritance.  Our  share  in  their  glory  is  that  of  brotherhood  with 
the  elder  branch  of  the  family. 

"  Education — A  Debt  due  from  present  to  future  Generations" — A  sentiment  as  sound 
in  its  philosophy  as  it  is  graceful  in  its  diction.  May  we,  by  our  unremitting  atten- 
tion to  the  advancement  of  Education,  emulate,  as  far  as  we  are  able,  the  zeal  of  its 
illustrious  author. 

By  Hon.  Allen  Putnam  of  Roxbury. 

Memory — A  del)t  due  from  the  present  to  past  generations. 


LETTERS. 

We  have  drawn  largely  on  our  correspondence  with  gentlemen, 
whose  presence  and  voices  would  have  been  welcome  to  our  festive 
board,  but  who  were  prevented  from  attending,  or,  if  here,  were  de- 
barred, for  want  of  time,  from  giving  utterance  to  their  sentiments. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  writers  of  these  letters  represent  not  only  the 
highest  mercantile  interests,  but  all  the  learned  professions, — the  schol- 


'90 

arship,  jurisprudence,  and  statesmanship  of  our  country.  These  letters 
are  full  of  ardent  sympathy  with  our  grand  object,  and  abound  in  testi- 
monials appreciative  of  the  high  character  of  our  eminent  townsman. 
However  varied  in  expression,  there  is  so  much  unity  of  design  in  the 
several  writers  that  it  cannot  fail  to  be  seen  that  all  give  their  hearty 
approbation  of  our  purpose  and  their  best  wishes  for  our  success  in 
rendering  due  honor  to  our  Guest. 

We   first  append  the  form  of  invitation   addressed  to  the   several 
guests  of  the  town  : — 

South  Danvers,  Sept.  29,  1856. 
Dear  Sir : 

The  citizens  of  the  Old  Town  of  Danvers  (now  Danvers  and 
South  Danvers)  propose  to  give  a  public  reception  and  dinner,  on 
Thursday,  the  9th  of  October  next,  to  their  distinguished  townsman  and 
benefactor,  George  Peabody,  Esq.,  of  London,  on  the  occasion  of  his 
contemplated  visit  to  his  native  place,  after  an  absence  of  more  than 
twenty  years. 

Trusting  in  your  willingness  to  honor  the  occasion  by  your  presence, 
they  tender  you  an  earnest  invitation  to  unite  with  them  in  this  expres- 
sion of  gratitude  and  respect. 
Very  truly. 

Your  obedient  servants, 

Robert  S.  Daniels, 
Geo.  Osborne, 
Eben  Sutton, 
Alfred  A.  Abbott, 
Fitch  Poole, 

Committee  of  Invitation. 


[From  Hon.  Rufus  Choate.] 

Boston,  Oct.  8,  1856. 
My  Dear  Sir : 

I  regret  extremely  that  I  cannot  be  present  to  unite  with  you,  and 
my  friends  of  so  many  years,  in  Danvers,  to  welcome  your  estimable 
son  and  benefactor  to  his  dear  native  land,  and  to  his  home.  To  his 
gratification  and  honor,  nothing  will  be  wanting,  and  one  voice  will  not 
be  missed  among  so  many  hundreds.  Yet  it  would  have  afforded  me 
true  pleasure  to  sit  with  you  at  that  beautiful  family  board  ;  and  to  see 
and  hear  with  what  eloquence  of  the  affections  you  will  receive  your 
guest ;  will  congratulate  him  on  the  prosperity  which  has  crowned  his 
life,  and  rewarded  his  virtue  and  capacity  ;  and  thank  him  for  the  large 
and  well-conceived  charities,  by  which  he  has  made,  in  such  "  good 
measure,  pressed  down,  shaken  together  and  running  over,"  the  filial 
return  for  the  parental  love  and  care. 

But  this  is  impossible  ;  and  I  can  only  wish  you  an  unclouded  Octo- 
ber sun  to  shine  upon  your  tent,  and  a  fair  harvest  moon  to  light  you 
all  homeward  when  the  banquet  is  over. 


91 

I  am  tempted,  adverting  to  the  changes  which  Mr.  Peabody  will  find 
Time  to  have  wrought  in  our  beloved  Danvcrs  ;  the  new  faces  he  will 
see,  the  old  ones  he  will  seek  in  vain  ;  and  the  whole  graceful  and  de- 
lightful welcome  he  is  receiving,  to  enclose  you,  if  you  and  he  will 
excuse  its  personality,  the  following. 

I  am,  most  truly,  your  friend, 

RUFUS  CHOATE. 

Our  Guest — A  living  man,  in  tlie  prime  of  his  life,  and  a  bachelor ;  he  stands  to- 
day in  the  midst  of  a  numerous,  grateful,  and  fond  posterity — all  the  better,  wiser, 
and  happier  for  their  ancestor. 


[From  Edmund  A.  Grattan,  Esq.] 

British  Consulate,  Boston, 

Saturday,  Oct.  11,  1856. 
Hon.  R.  S.  Daniels,  President  of  the 

Peabody  Celebration,  South  Danvers — 
Dear  Sir : 

I  regret  extremely  that  in  consequence  of  a  misapprehension  on 
my  part  in  regard  to  the  toasts  to  be  given  from  the  Chair  at  the  dinner 
at  Danvers  on  Thursday  last,  I  had  not  an  opportunity  of  making  the 
few  remarks  expressive  of  my  high  regard  for  Mr.  Peabody,  and  of  my 
gratification  at  the  admirable  character  of  the  celebration,  which  I  had 
proposed  to  deliver  had  I  been  called  upon.  I  should  have  gladly 
borne  my  testimony,  as  an  Englishman,  to  the  great  esteem  and  respect 
in  which  your  distinguished  fellow-countryman  is  universally  held  in 
England,  and  have  referred  to  the  constant  efforts  of  Mr.  Peabody  to 
cultivate  friendly  relations  and  to  promote  a  good  understanding  be- 
tween England  and  America,  which  have  given  him  so  high  a  place 
in  the  affections  and  regard  of  the  people  of  both  countries. 

It  has  been  my  good  fortune  more  than  once  to  have  partaken  of 
Mr.  Peabody's  hospitalities  in  London,  and  to  have  been  present  on 
some  of  those  festive  occasions  which,  under  his  auspices,  have  so 
often  brought  together  Englishmen  and  Americans  for  purposes  of  easy 
and  unrestrained  social  intercourse.  Many  persons,  occupying  eminent 
positions  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic,  have  thus  had  opportunities  of 
meeting  which  would  probably  otherwise  not  have  been  afforded  to 
them  ;  and  who  can  say  how  many  prejudices  may  not  have  been  re- 
moved, asperities  softened,  and  misunderstandings  rectified,  by  the 
interchange  of  kindly  sentiments  thus  brought  about. 

Mr.  Peabody's  mercantile  career  has  been  crowned  with  great  and 
eminent  success  ;  still  I  am  sure  I  may  safely  say  that  his  highest  title 
to  consideration,  and  that  which  he  himself  most  values,  is  that  of  a 
peacemaker. 

I  cannot  but  refer,  in  terms  of  sincere  satisfaction,  to  the  cordial 
spirit  of  good  will  towards  the  people  of  England,  and  of  respect  for 
her  Majesty  the  Queen,  by  which  the  proceedings  of  Thursday  were 
so  eminently  marked,  and  which  may  be  said  to  have  given  an  almost 
international  character  to  the  celebration  ;  and  I  beg.  Sir,  that  you  will 
allow  me,  through  you,  to  congratulate  the  citizens  of  Danvers  upon 


92 

the  entire  success  of  the  festivities  prepared  by  them  in  honor  of  their 
distinguished  fellow-townsman,  the  remembrance  of  which  will  doubt- 
less be  cherished  in  his  memory  as  amongst  the  most  gratifying  events 
of  his  life. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  dear  sir. 

Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

EDMUND  A.  GRATTAN. 


[From  Washington  Ir.ving.] 

SUNNYSIDE,  Oct.  7th,  1856. 
To  Messrs.  A.  A.  Abbott,  Fitch  Poole,  Eben  Sutton, 

R.  S.  Daniels,  and  Geo.  Osborne,  Com.  of  Invitation — 
Gentlemen  : 

It  would  give  me  great  pleasure  to  accept  the  invitation  with  which 
the  citizens  of  the  Old  Town  of  Danvers  have  honored  me,  to  attend 
the  reception  and  dinner  they  propo.se  to  give  to  their  worthy  and  dis- 
tinguished townsman,  George  Peabody,  Esq.,  a  gentleman  to  whom 
our  whole  country  is  deeply  indebted  for  the  generous  and  noble  man- 
ner in  which  he  has  illustrated  the  American  character.  I  regret, 
however,  to  say  that  my  engagements  and  occupations  are  such  at 
present  as  put  it  out  of  my  power  to  absent  myself  from  home. 
With  great  respect.  Gentlemen, 

Your  obliged  and  humble  serv't, 

WASHINGTON  IRVING. 


[From  Charles  A.  Davis,  Esq.] 

New  York,  4th  Oct.,  1856. 
To  the  Committee  of  Danvers  on  the  occasion  of  the  Public 

Reception  of  their  fellow-townsman,  George  Peabody,  Esq. — 
Gentlemen  : 

As  Chairman  of  the  "  Executive  Committee"  here  of  a  large  body 
of  our  fellow-citizens,  who  united  in  an  invitation  to  Mr.  Peabody  to  a 
public  dinner  in  this  city,  I  have  this  day  received  your  kind  invitation 
to  your  intended  festival  of  gratitude  on  the  9th  of  this  month,  to  wel- 
come the  return  to  you,  of  your  distinguished  townsman. 

As  this  invitation  seems  intended  for  all  who  joined  in  the  desire  to 
manifest  their  high  appreciation  of  Mr.  Peabody  on  his  arrival  here,  I 
am  unable,  for  want  of  time,  to  communicate  it  personally  or  individ- 
ually to  each,  and  can  do  no  more  (and  I  could  hardly  do  less)  than  to 
give  it  publicity  in  our  leading  city  papers. 

For  myself,  gentlemen,  I  beg  to  offer  you  my  sincere  thanks,  and 
would  with  pleasure  and  gratitude  accept  it  and  be  with  you  in  body, 
(as  I  shall  be  in  spirit,)  but  engagements  here  prevent. 

We  have  read  of  late,  gentlemen,  of  grand  and  gorgeous  receptions 
of  victors  returning  to  their  respective  homes  from  the  Crimea ;  but 
you  prove  the  truth  of  the  adage  that  "  peace  has  its  victories  as  well 
as  war."  There  are  "  Inkermans,"  "  Redans,"  and  "  Malakoffs"  of 
national  prejudices  and  national  enmities,  quite  as  formidable  as  those 


93 

of  granite  and  iron  at  Sebastopol ;  in  demolishing  the  former,  our  hero 
has  been  as  victorious  as  the  most  heroic  of  heroes  who  have  triumphed 
over  the  latter.     Honor  then   to   George  Peabody  !  for  the  garland  of 
victory  he  has  won  bears  not  a  leaf  of  cypress  to  mar  its  beauty. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

CHAS.  AUG.  DAVIS. 


[From  Dr.  Kane.] 
Gentlemen  : 

I  acknowledge,  with  my  thanks,  your  invitation  to  join  in  the  wel- 
come extended  to  Mr.  Peabody  by  his  native  town.  Nothing  but  abso- 
lute necessity,  attendant  upon  my  departure  for  England  on  Saturday, 
would  prevent  my  being  present,  and  I  thank  you  for  the  opportunity 
which  your  letter  affords  me  of  expressing  my  high  respect  for  your 
honored  guest. 

I  am.  Gentlemen,  very  sincerely, 

Your  obedient  servant. 
New  York,  Oct.  7,  1856.  E.  K.  KANE. 

Messrs.  A.  A.  Abbott,  R.  S.  Daniels,  and  others. 


[From  Ex-Gov.  Boutwell.] 

Stockbridge,  Oct.  8th,  1856. 
To  Messieurs  Fitch  Poole,  A.  A.  Abbott, 

Eben  Sutton,  R.  S.  Daniels,  and  George  Osborne — 

Your  invitation  to  be  present  at  a  public  reception  and  dinner,  to  be 
given  to  your  distinguished  townsman  and  benefactor  George  Peabody, 
Esquire,  reached  me  at  this  place,  and  I  regret  that  it  is  not  in  my 
power  to  pay  my  respects  in  person  to  a  man  who  is  an  honor  to  liis 
country  and  age. 

This  generation  cannot  fully  appreciate  the  benign  effects  of  Mr. 
Peabody's  munificence,  but  his  deeds  and  example  will  never  cease  to 
exert  an  elevating  and  refining  influence  upon  the  civilization  of  Mas- 
sachusetts. 

I  am,  with  sincere  respect, 

Your  obliged  fellow-citizen, 

GEO.  S.  BOUTWELL. 


[From  Peter  Cooper,  Esq.] 

New  York,  Oct.  6,  1856. 
Gentlemen : 

Your  note  of  the  29th  inst.  is  received,  extending  to  me  an  invita. 
tion  to  unite  with  the  citizens  of  Danvers  in  a  public  reception  of  Geo. 
Peabody,  Esq.,  on  his  return  to  his  native  town  after  an  absence  of 
more  than  twenty  years.  I  thank  you,  gentlemen,  for  your  kind  invi- 
tation, and  beg  to  assure  you  that  it  is  with  sincere  regret  that  I  have  to 
reply  that  it  will  be  out  of  my  power  to  be  with  you  on  that  occasion, 


94 

to  manifest  by  my  presence  there  the  admiration  and  profound  respect 
that  I  feel  for  one  who  has  done  so  much  to  advance  the  honor  and 
interest  of  his  native  country.  No  other  American  has  done  so  much 
by  his  residence  abroad  to  elevate  the  commercial  character  and  credit 
of  our  country  as  he.  His  unbounded  hospitality  and  acts  of  munifi- 
cence are  known  to  all  his  countrymen,  and  it  is  peculiarly  fitting  that 
they  should  show  to  him,  on  his  return  among  them,  their  gratitude  for 
his  services  and  hospitalities,  and  the  high  admiration  they  entertain  for 
his  character  and  abilities. 

I  am,  Gentlemen,  very  truly. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

PETER  COOPER. 

To  Fitch  Poole,  Esq.,  etc.,  Committee. 


[From  Hon.  R.  C.  Winthrop.] 

Boston,  7th  Oct.,  1856. 
Gentlemen  : 

Few  things  would  afford  me  greater  pleasure  than  to  witness  the 
reception  of  Mr.  Peabody,  by  the  Old  Town  of  Danvers,  on  Thursday 
next,  and  to  unite  with  you  in  paying  a  deserved  tribute  of  respect  and 
gratitude  to  your  distinguished  townsman  and  benefactor. 

I  thank  you  sincerely  for  the  invitation  with  which  you  have  honored 
me,  and  for  the  kind  and  complimentary  words  by  which  it  has  been 
seconded.  A  previous  and  imperative  engagement,  at  a  stated  meeting 
of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  on  the  same  day,  leaves  me 
little  hope  of  being  able  to  join  you  until  a  late  hour  of  the  festival,  and 
will  perhaps  deprive  me  of  it  altogether.  But  1  am  unwilling  to  forego 
the  opportunity  of  expressing  my  deep  sense  of  the  services  which  Mr. 
Peabody  has  rendered  not  merely  to  his  native  place,  by  the  noble  In- 
stitute which  he  has  established  there,  but  to  his  whole  country,  and  to 
the  cause  of  peace  and  brotherly  love  throughout  the  world,  by  his 
large  and  liberal  hospitality  in  London. 

It  has  never  been  my  fortune  to  be  present  at  any  of  those  feasts  of 
international  good  will  which  have  given  Mr.  Peabody  so  enviable  a 
distinction  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic,  and  which  have  become  a  sort 
of  international  institution.  I  have  enjoyed  no  personal  experience  of 
the  magic  influence  of  that  "  loving  cup."  It  seems,  however,  to  have 
accomplished  more  in  breaking  down  the  barriers  of  reserve  and  dis- 
trust which  have  so  long  and  so  unfortunately  separated  Englishmen 
and  Americans,  than  all  the  diplomacy  of  Washington  or  London. 

Once  more  let  me  unite  with  you,  on  paper,  if  I  may  not  in  person, 
in  offering  a  cordial  welcome  to  Mr.  Peabody,  on  his  temporary  return 
to  his  native  land,  and  in  wishing  for  him  a  long  and  unbroken  enjoy- 
ment of  the  health  and  wealth  which  he  employs  to  such  excellent  and 
patriotic  purposes.  Massachusetts  may  well  be  proud  to  find  herself 
represented  in  the  great  metropolis  of  the  world  by  two  such  noble  sons 
as  Joshua  Bates  and  Geokge  Peabody.     Their  names  are  inscribed 


95 

on  kindred  instilutions,  and  their  enlightened  munificence  will  receive 
a  common  homage  in  every  Massachusetts  or  American  heart. 
Believe  me,  Gentlemen,  with  great  respect, 

Your  obliged  and  obedient  servant, 

ROBERT  C.  WINTHROP. 
To  Fitth  Poole,  etc.,  Com.  of  Invitation. 


[From  James  Lawrence,  Esq.] 

Boston,  6th  Oct.,  1856. 
Grentlemen : 

I  regret  that  my  engagements  will  not  permit  me  to  accept  the 
invitation  with  which  you  have  honored  me  to  unite  with  the  citizens  of 
Danvers  in  extending  a  welcome  to  Mr.  Peabcdy.  I  should  rejoice  in 
the  opportunity  of  adding  my  humble  tribute  of  gratitude  and  respect 
for  one,  whose  intelligent  munificence  has  done  .so  much  for  his  native 
town.  The  benefit  of  his  gift  is  not  conferred,  however,  upon  Danvers 
alone.  I  consider  it  a  cordial  testimony  and  an  efiicient  aid  to  the 
friends  of  Popular  Education  and  Free  Schools  throughout  the  world. 
I  do  not  doubt  that  its  results  will  equal  the  most  sanguine  hopes  of  its 
founder,  and  the  best  wishes  of  its  friends. 

Allow  me  to  subjoin  a  sentiment  for  your  use,  should  an  occasion 
offer  for  presenting  it : 

The  Peabody  Institute — May  it  flourish  perennially,  and  be  known,  like  the  Endi- 
cott  Pear  tree,  by  its  fruits — and  may  the  memory  of  its  founder,  like  that  of  the 
First  Governor,  be  cherished  forever. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be.  Gentlemen, 

Your  obliged  and  obedient  servant, 

JAMES  LAWRENCE. 
To  A.  A.  Abbott,  etc..  Committee. 


[From  Hon.  Stephen  C.  Phillips.] 

Salem,  October  8,  1856. 
Gentlemen : 

I  regret  that  I  cannot  accept  the  invitation  of  the  Committee,  which 
you  have  done  me  the  favor  to  send  to  me.  I  cannot  conceive  of  a 
more  agreeable  and  interesting  occasion  than  the  reception  of  Mr.  Pea- 
body  in  the  mode  in  which  you  propose  to  conduct  it.  As  an  affecting 
welcome  to  a  long-absent  citizen  upon  his  return  to  the  home  of  his 
childhood — as  a  fit  tribute  of  the  gratitude  and  respect  of  an  enlightened 
and  virtuous  community  to  an  eminent  benefactor,  and  as  a  becoming 
exhibition  of  the  character  and  spirit  of  those  upon  whom  his  benefac- 
tions have  been  bestowed,  it  constitutes  a  combination  of  attractions 
which  is  perhaps  without  a  parallel ;  and  the  impressions  it  must  pro- 
duce and  the  lessons  it  will  furnish  cannot  fail  to  exert  a  wide  and  last- 
ing moral  influence  of  the  most  beneficial  tendency.  That  it  will 
serve  to  recommend  the  example  of  Mr.  Peabody  to  some  who  are  in 
a  situation  to  imitate  it,  is  one  of  the  results  which  may  be  hoped  for 


96 

and  expected  ;  and  that  it  will  afford  to  him,  in  all  its  incidents  and 
associations,  the  purest  satisfaction,  who  can  doubt  who  properly  esti- 
mate his  motives,  and  who  consider  what  it  is  which  makes  a  wise 
man  happy  in  the  review  of  a  virtuous  and  useful  life. 

As  I  thus  contemplate  the  character  of  the  occasion,  I  cannot  but 
renew  the  expression  of  my  regret  that  I  must  necessarily  be  absent ; 
while  I  remain. 

Yours  very  truly, 
F.  Poole,  Esq.  S.  C.  PHILLIPS. 


[From  Hon.  Nathan  Appleton.] 

Boston,  7  Oct.,  1856. 
Gentlemen : 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  invitation  to 
the  festival  to  be  given  George  Peabody,  Esq.,  on  the  9th  inst.  at  Dan- 
vers.  Nothing  would  give  me  greater  pleasure  than  to  be  present  on 
that  occasion,  did  the  state  of  my  health  permit.  I  have  shared  in  the 
hospitality  of  Mr.  Peabody  abroad,  and  have  witnessed  the  liberality 
and  patriotism  with  which  he  does  honor  to  the  character  of  an  Ameri- 
can merchant.  I  therefore  sincerely  regret  that  I  am  obliged  to  deny 
myself  the  pleasure  of  accepting  your  invitation,  and  am,  with  great 
respect.  Your  obedient  servant, 

N.  APPLETON. 

Messrs.  A.  A.  Abbott,  R.  S.  Daniels,  Fitch  Poole, 
Eben  Sutton,  Geo.  Osborne,  Committee. 


[From  Geo.  W.  Porter,  Esq.] 

Office  Board  of  Trade, 
Gentlemen  :  Baltimore,  Oct.  12th,  1856. 

Your  kind  invitation  to  the  President  and  Deputation  from  this 
Board  to  the  dinner  given  at  Danvers,  on  the  9th  inst.,  in  honor  of  the 
return  of  your  distinguished  townsman  and  benefactor,  Geo.  Peabody, 
Esq.,  was  duly  received,  and  though  it  was  not  in  the  power  of  any  to 
be  present  on  the  occasion,  the  Board  is  none  the  less  thankful  for  your 
courtesy. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obt.  serv't, 

GEO.  W.  PORTER,  Sec. 
To  R.  S.  Daniels,  A.  A.  Abbott,  Eben  Sutton, 
Geo.  Osborne,  and  F.  Poole,  Esqrs.,  S.  Danvers. 


[From  the  Philadelphia  Board  of  Trade.] 

Office  of  the  Board  of  Trade, 

Philadelphia,  Oct.  7th,  1856. 
R.  S.  Daniels  and  others,  Committee  of  Invitation 

to  Public  Reception  and  Dinner  to  George  Peabody,  Esq. — 
Gentlemen : 

We  have  received  your  favor  of  the  29th  ultimo,  inviting  us,  as  a 
deputation  from   the   Board  of  Trade   of  this  city,  to  bo  present  at  a 


97 

public  reception  and  dinner,  to  be  given  in  the  old  town  of  Danvers, 
on  the  9th  instant,  to  George  Pcabody,  Esq. 

We  should  be  most  happy  to  join  you  in  honoring  a  gentleman  who 
has  done  so  much,  by  his  high  character  as  a  merchant,  and  his  gen- 
erous zeal  for  the  honor  and  interests  of  his  native  country,  to  merit 
the  respect  and  grateful  regard  of  all  Americans;  but  the  shortness  of 
the  time  allowed  us  for  the  purpose,  and  previously  existing  engage- 
ments, will  deprive  us  of  that  pleasure.  Be  pleased,  however,  to  sub- 
mit to  the  meeting  the  following,  as  expressive  of  our  sentiments  : 

Geoi-fjc  Pcahodij,  Esq. — Distinguished  in  two  hemispheres  and  honored  in  both, 
may  he  long  enjoy  the  just  rewards  of  a  life  whose  proudest  merit  is  the  influence  it 
has  exerted  in  cultivating  tlie  mutual  respect  and  strengthening  the  amicable  rela- 
tions  of  Great  Britain  and  America. 

V«ry  truly  your  obedient  servants, 

SAM'L  V.  MERRICK, 
SAMUEL  C.  MORTON, 
JOSEPH  C.  GRUBB, 
JAMES  C.  HAND, 
A.  I.  LEWIS, 
DAVID  S.  BROWN, 
THOMAS  J.  PERKINS, 
Com.  of  the  Philad.  Board  of  Trade. 


[From  Hon.  Josiah  duincy,  Jr.] 

Boston,  23  Oct.,   1856. 
Gentlemen : 

I  regret  that  absence  from  the  State  prevented  my  acknowledging 
at  an  earlier  period  the  invitation,  with  which  you  honored  me,  to  be 
present  at  the  dinner  given  to  your  liberal  and  distmguished  townsman 
George  Pcabody.  In  common  with  almost  every  American  who  has 
visited  Europe,  I  feel  deeply  indebted  to  his  hospitality,  and  it  is  a 
source  of  unfeigned  regret  that  circumstances  prevented  my  being 
present  on  that  most  interesting  occasion,  when  he  returned  in  wealth 
and  honor  to  the  place  he  left  as  a  poor  and  unfriended  boy. 

Trusting  you  will  pardon  my  apparent  neglect  in  not  replying  at  an 
earlier  period  to  your  invitation, 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Your  obliged  friend  and  servant, 

JOSIAH  QUINCY,  Jr. 
R.  S.  Daniels,  Esq.,  Cli'm  Com.  of  Reception. 


[FVom  the  Rev.  Mr.  Braman.J 

Georgetown,  Oct.  7th,  1856. 
To  Fitch  Poole,  Esq.,  and  others — 
Gentlemen  : 

Your  kind  letter,  inviting  me  to  be  present  at  the  public  reception 
and  dinner  intended  to  be  given  to  our  worthy  friend  and  countryman^ 
7 


George  Peabody,  Esq.,  of  London,  was  duly  received.  I  tliank  you, 
gentlemen,  for  the  honor  you  thus  conferred  upon  an  aged  nnan.  [t 
wouhl  give  nne  great  pleasure  to  comply  with  your  invitation,  were  I  in 
the  enjoyment  of  competent  health  and  vigor,  which  I  fear  I  am  not. 
If  Barziilai,  the  Gileadite,  when  only  four  score  years  old,  could  think 
himself  excusable  for  not  going  up  to  Jerusalem  with  his  king,  whom 
he  highly  esteemed  and  loved,  much  more  may  one  who  is  in  his 
eighty-seventh  year  be  excused  from  going  to  South  Danvers.  I  am 
not  a  spiritualist  in  the  common  acceptation  of  the  word,  but  think  my 
spirit  will  be  with  you  on  the  proposed  occasion.  May  you  have  a 
pleasant  meeting,  and  do  honor  to  your  honorable  guest. 

My   prayer  is,  that  the  Literary  Institution  established  by  Mr.  Pea- 
body  in  his  native  town  may  be  so  conducted  and  blessed  as  to  pro- 
iTiote  the  Divine  glory  and  the  temporal  and  spiritual  interests  of  many. 
Yours  respectfully, 

ISAAC  BRAMAN. 


[From  Rev.  I.  W.  Putnam.] 

MiDDLEBORO',  Oct.  7,    1856. 
To  Messrs.  Poole,  Abbott,  Sutton,  Daniels, 

and  Osborne,  Committee,  &c. — 
^Gentlemen : 

Please  accept  my  thanks  for  the  honor  of  an  invitation  to  the  din- 
ner to  be  given  to  our  distinguished  fellow-townsman,  Mr.  Peabody, 
now  of  London. 

I  deeply  regret  that  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  participate  in  the  festiv- 
ities of  the  occasion.  But  I  rejoice  that  my  beloved  old  native  town 
Danvers  has  now,  in  the  Providence  of  God,  an  opportunity  duly  to 
respect  and  honor  a  son,  whose  life  abroad  has  done  so  much  to  keep 
the  two  great  Anglo-Saxon  nations  on  terms  of  growing  friendship  with 
•♦3ach  other,  and  whose  noble  liberality  has  made  such  ample  provisions 
lor  the  mental  and  social  improvement  of  the  present  and  the  future 
generations  of  his  native  town. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

ISRAEL  W.  PUTNAM. 


[From  Rev.  T.  P.  Field.] 

New  London,  Ct.,  Oct.  6,  1856. 
•Gentlemen : 

It  affords  me  much  pleasure  to  accept  your  invitation  to  the  public 
reception  and  dinner  to  be  given  to  George  Peabody,  Esq.,  of  London, 
on  the  occasion  of  his  visit  to  his  native  place. 

I  shall  be  glad  to  unite  with  the  citizens  of  Danvers  in  their  testimo- 
nials of  respect  for  one  who  has  contributed  so  liberally  for  the  promo- 
tion of  knowledge  and  morality  in  his  native  town,  and  by  his  benevo- 
lence and  patriotism,  and  upright  and  honorable  course  as  a  merchant, 
hris  won  such  merited  distinction  for  himself  in  England  and  America. 

While  I  was  Pastor  of  a  Church  in  Danvers,  I  often  heard  the  name 


99 

of  Mr.  Peabody  spoken  with  sincere  affection  by  his  former  friends 
and  acquaintances,  and  I  learned  to  think  of  him  as  a  man  of  a  noble 
and  generous  spirit,  before  it  had  been  manifested  as  munificently  as  it' 
has  since  been,  in  the  endowment  of  the  Peabody  Institute. 

I   left   Danvcrs  at  too  early  a  period  to  derive  any  personal  benefit 

from  this  benefaction,  but  I  can  congratulate  the  clergy  no  less  than  the 

laity  of  the  town  on  the  additional  means  thus  furnished  them  for  that 

mental  culture  so  essential  to  the  successful  prosecution  of  their  work. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

THOS.  P.  FIELD. 
Geo.  Osborne,  Eben  Sutton,  and  others,  Com.  of  Inv. 


[From  Rev.  C.  C.  Sewall.] 

Medfield,  October  9,   1856. 
Gentlemen :  , 

I  return  my  sincerest  acknowledgments  for  the  invitation  you  have 
done  me  the  honor  to  tender  to  me,  to- join  with  the  citizens  of  old 
Danvers  in  the  expression  of  their  gratitude  and  respect  to  their  distin- 
guished townsman  and  benefactor,  George  Peabody,  Esq.,  of  London. 
I  regret  that  the  lateness  of  its  reception  precluded  the  possibility  of 
setting  aside  engagements  which  demanded  my  attention  to-day,  and 
that  I  could  not  participate  in  the  pleasures  of  the  occasion. 

I  am  not,  as  you  are  aware,  a  native,  nor  a  citizen  of  old  Danvers. 
But  you  will  believe  me,  gentlemen,  there  are  hallowed  associations 
and  remembrances  binding  mc  strongly  to  the  place  in  which  it  v/as 
my  privilege,  for  many  years,  to  claim  my  home,  and  which  will  never 
permit  me  to  be  indifferent  to  anything  affecting  the  name  and  the  in- 
terests of  Danvers.  I  would,  therefore,  join  most  heartily  with  you 
and  your  fellow-citizens,  in  paying  the  tribute  so  justly  due  to  him, 
whose  liberality  and  considerate  regard  for  the  place  of  his  nativity 
has  opened,  to  the  present  and  future  generations  of  her  citizens,  a 
mine  of  immeasurable  wealth  in  the  means  of  intellectual  and  moral 
culture  and  improvement  provided  for  them.  From  my  heart  would  I 
give  honor  to  the  man  of  wealth,  who,  believing  "  there  is  that  scatler- 
eth  and  yet  increaseth,"  enlarges  his  wealth  by  dividing  it,  for  the  best 
interests  of  humanity,  by  providing  for  the  elevation  and  happiness  of 
his  race.  He  invests  his  property  in  those  enduring  treasures  which 
an  Almighty  arm  will  protect,  and  whose  continually  enlarging  gains 
shall  be  realized  and  enjoyed  in  Heaven. 

May  they,  whose  privilege  it  is  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  your  towns- 
man's wisdom  and  liberality,  be  faithful  to  preserve  and  improve  that 
privilege  ! 

With  sentiments  of  the  highest  regard  for  yourselves  personally,  and 
for  the  citizens  of  old  Danvers  whom  you  represent, 
I  am,  Gentlemen,  yours  truly, 

CHARLES  C.  SEWALL. 

Messrs.  11.  S.  Daniels,  G.  Osborne,  A.  A. 
Abbott,  E.  Sutton,  F.  Poole,  Com.  of  Inv. 


100 

[From  the  Rev.  J,  W.  Hanson.] 

Messrs.  R.  S.  Daniels,  Geo.  Osborne,  A.  A.  Abbott, 

Fitch  Poole,  Eben  Sutton,  Committee,  &.c. — 
Gentlemen : 

You  cannot  tell  how  sorry  I  am  that  your  invitation  to  attend  your 
delightful  festival  did  not  reach  me — owing  to  my  absence  from  home — : 
until  it  was  too  late.  I  should,  by  all  means,  have  endeavored  to  be 
with  you.  Although  I  was  but  a  temporary  sojourner  in  your  noble 
town,  and  not  a  native,  the  many  friendships  I  formed  there,  and  the 
fact  that  during  my  residence  I  became  your  historian,  in  a  humble 
way,  and  my  great  respect  for  your  distinguished  guest,  would  have 
drawn  me  thither  had  it  been  possible.  I  am  heartily  glad  to  know 
that  the  occasion  passed  off  so  pleasantly,  and  trust  that  great  prosperity 
may  ever  attend  the  town,  all  parts  of  it :  Walquack,  Brooksby,  the 
Neck,  the  Plains,  the  South  Parish,  even  to  the  Dishful.  May  hemlock 
bark  be  plenty,  and  onions  ever  prolific,  and  witches  evermore  un- 
known. And  should  perilous  times  ever  visit  our  country,  may  your 
eitizens  emulate  their  sires  in  defending  her. 

Sincerely  yours, 
Gardiner,  Oct.  13,  1856.  J.   W.  HANSON. 


[From  Rev.  Dr.  Bigelow.] 

Boston,  October  9th,  1856. 

To  Messrs.  E.  S.  Daniels,  Geo.  Osborne,  and  others.  Com. — 
Gentlemen : 

I  thank  you  heartily  for  the  invitation  with  which  you  have  hon- 
ored me  to  join  you  and  the  citizens  at  large  of  the  good  "  Old  Town 
of  Danvers,"  in  the  public  reception  proposed  to  be  given  this  day  to 
your  "  distinguished  townsman  and  benefactor"  George  Peabody,  Esq., 
of  London. 

It  would  be  extremely  gratifying  to  me  to  unite  with  you  in  the  testi- 
monials of  respect  and  gratitude  to  be  offered  to  a  gentleman  so  richly 
deserving  the  ovation  designed,  and  all  the  joyful  gratulations  with 
which  it  will  be  accompanied,  on  his  return  for  a  temporary  visit,  after 
aoiong  ab.sence,  to  his  native  place  ; — a  gentleman  worthy  of  all  honor 
for  his  eminent  personal  merits,  and  entitled  to  the  grateful  estimation 
of  the  community  for  his  generous  hospitalities  so  often  profusely  dis- 
pensed, and  many  other  benevolent  offices  rendered  to  his  countrymen  ; 
and  still  more,  for  his  simple  yet  noble  bearing,  and  the  weight  and 
dignity  which  he  has  lent  to  the  American  name  and  character  in  the 
conspicuous  position  (though  a  private  one)  which  he  has  so  long  occu- 
pied in  the  World's  Commercial  Metropolis. 

But  the  pleasure  which  I  should  experience  in  meeting  you  and  your 
distinguished  guest,  on  an  occasion  of  such  marked  interest,  is  precluded 
to  me  by  providential  causes  which  constrain  my  absence. 

With  assurances,  nevertheless,  of  my  warmest  sympathies,  and  re- 
newed acknowledgments  for  your  kindly  remembrance, 
I  remain.  Gentlemen,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obliged  servant, 

ANDREW  BIGELOW. 


101 

[The  following  is  extracted  from  a  letter  recently  received 
from  Rev.  Dr.  Pierpont,  under  date  of  November  17th.] 

I  am  glad  of  having  now  the  opportunity  to  say,  what  I  am  sure 
every  man  present  will  join  me  in  saying, — that  the  day,  the  whole 
day, — was  to -me  one  of  the  pleasantest  that  I  have  ever  enjoyed. 
Nowhere  but  in  New  England, — may  I  not  without  offence  say  no- 
where but  in  Massachusetts, — could  there  have  been  made  such  an 
exhibition  as  was  enjoyed  in  Danvers  on  the  day  of  the  Peabody  festi- 
val. The  heavens  themselves  seemed  to  enjoy  it  and  sympathize  with 
the  vast  crowd  there  assembled, — and  assembled  for  what.'' — not  for 
the  coronation  of  a  new  king — not  for  the  inauguration  of  a  new  presi- 
dent— not  to  shout  around  the  triumphal  car  of  a  victorious  general 
returning  to  his  country's  capital  with  conquered  princes  chained  to  his 
chariot  wheels — not  even  for  the  purpose  of  discussing  a  great  political 
question  or  a  good  dinner, — but  simply  to  see  the  face  of  a  man  who 
had  used  his  large  means  in  doing  great  good  to  his  native  townsmen, 
and  to  see  the  demonstrations  of  their  gratitude  for  it.  And  who,  that 
saw  the  spectacle,  could  doubt  the  gratitude  !  Was  there  a  cloudy  or 
a  vinegar-looking  face  in  Danvers  that  day  ?  I  saw  not  one,  and  yet  I 
saw  a  great  many  faces  while  I  was  there.  In  riding,  as  by  the  kind 
attentions  of  the  committee  to  one  somewhat  stricken  in  years  I  was 
invited  to  do,  along  the  ranks  of  the  children  belonging  to  the  Danvers 
schools,  admiring  the  neat  uniforms  of  the  boys  and  jjirls,  their  ever- 
green garlands  and  chaplets  of  flowers,  and,  better  still,  their  sunshiny 
faces  !  why,  my  dear  sir,  to  confess  my  weakness,  I  had  to  out  hand- 
kerchief. Well,  I  couldn't  help  it — though  I  hope  the  gentlemen,  who 
rode  in  the  same  carriage  with  me,  didn't  observe  it,  as  they  might 
have  thought  it  a  proof  of  the  reverend  gentleman's  early  dotage.  And 
when  I  heard  the  shouts  of  those  children  as  Mr.  Peabody's  carriage 
passed  along  their  ranks,  1  could  not  but  think  of  "  the  children  crying 
in  the  temple  and  saying,  Hosanna  to  the  son  of  David  !  "  1  suppose 
that  like  Peter  on^a  certain  occasion,  I  very  probably  "  wist  not  what 
(  said,"  yet  I  do  remember  saying  to  the  gentlemen  with  me,  "  Well, 
generous  as  Mr.  Peabody  has  been  to  Danvers,  I  think  he  will  say  in 
his  heart  that  he  has  received  to-day  his  money's  worth." 

Would  to  God  that  all   rich    men  knew  as  well  as  George  Peabody 
how  to  invest  a  good  portion  of  their  abundant  wealth. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  PIERPONT. 

To  Mr.  Fitch  Poole,  for  the  Committee,  &c. 


[From  Rev.  John  Pike.] 

Rowley,  Oct.  6,  1856. 
Gentlemen  : 

Your  complimentary  invitation  is  this  morning  received.  Mr- 
Pike  is  but  slightly  relieved  now  of  typhus  fever.  I  communicated 
your  note  to  him.    He  wishes  me  to  say,  that  One  of  the  saddest  accom- 


102 

panimenls  of  his  sickness   is,  that  he   cannot  share  in  3''our  expected 
festivities. 

Danvers  has  rapidly  gone  before  her  sister  towns  and  villages  in  ma- 
terial prosperity.  But  let  her  triumph  most  of  all  that  she  has  given 
birth  to  a  man  so  deservedly  honored  and  loved,  in  both  the  new  and 
the  old  world.  They  may  yet  outstrip  her  in  wealth  and  industry, 
but  probably  they  will  never  be  able  to  speak  of  sons,  whose  skill  in 
acquiring  this  world's  goods  is  only  equalled  by  a  discriminate  and 
large  benevolence  in  bestowing  them.  May  God  long  spare  your  dis- 
tinguished guest  to  execute  well  his  earthly  stewardship.  And  may 
you  by  his  benefactions  be  made  as  remarkable  for  your  knowledge, 
as  your  own  industry  has  made  you  distinguished  for  outward  pros- 
perity. 1  am,  gentlemen,  very  respectfully  yours, 

Deborah  S.  Pike, 
In  behalf  of  her  husband, 

JOHN  PIKE. 
Messrs.  A.  A.  Abbott,  Fitch  Poole,  and  others. 

Committee  of  Invitation  to  the  Peabody  Celebration. 


[From  William  Gushing,  Esq.] 

Newbxjkyport,  Oct.  7th,  1856. 
Messrs.  R.  S.  Daniels,  A.  A.  Abbott,  Eben  Sutton, 

George  Osborne,  and  Fitch  Poole,  Esqrs. — 
Gentlemen  : 

Your  favor  of  the  29th  iilt.,  inviting  Aldermen  Hills  and  Williams, 
with  myself,  to  visit  Danvers  the  9th  inst.,  on  the  occasion  of  the  re- 
ception and  dinner  to  George  Peabody,  Esq.,  of  London,  was  handed 
me  the  evening  of  the  4th  inst.  on  my  return  from  the  South, 

If  my  other  engagements  will  permit,  I  shall  be  most  happy  to  join 
with  you  on  that  interesting  occasion.  At  least,  I  shall  endeavor  to 
pass  an  hour  or  two  with  you  and  pay  ;Tiy  respects  to  your  distinguished 
townsman. 

Messrs,  H.  and  W.  unite  with  me  in  thanking  you  for  this  kind  invi- 
tation, and  they  will,  if  possible,  visit  you  on  that  day. 
Very  truly,  your  obt.  servt, 

WILLIAM  GUSHING. 


[From  Edward  S.  Rand,  Esq.] 

Newburypokt,  Oct.  6,  1856. 
Gentlemen  : 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  in- 
vitation to  the  dinner  to  be  given  by  the  citizens  of  the  old  town  of 
Danvers,  on  the  occasion  of  the  visit  to  his  native  town,  of  George 
Peabody,  Esq.,  and  I  beg  to  assure  you  of  the  pleasure  it  will  give  me 
to  be  present  on  so  interesting  an  occasion. 

I  am,  very  truly  and  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

EDWARD  S.  RAND. 

To  R.  S.  Daniels,  George  Osbonie,  Fitch  Poole, 
A.  A.  Abbott  and  Eben  Sutton,  Esqrs.,  Committee. 


103 

[From  N.  I.  Bowditch,  Esq.] 

Boston,  Oct.  9,  1856. 
Gentlemen  : 

It  was  only  through  the  newspapers  of  to-day  that  I  accidentally 
learned  the  fact  that  you  had  done  me  the  honor  of  extending  to  me 
an  invitation. 

As  a  native  of  Esse.x  County,  and  especially  as  a  son  of  one  whose 
early  childhood  was  spent  in  Danvers,  I  should  have  been  much  grati- 
fied to  have  been  present  at  the  public  reception  given  to  your  distin- 
guished townsman, — your  guest  of  to-day, — his  name  will  be  a  house- 
hold word  among  your  children's  children.  His  splendid  hospitalities 
in  a  distant  land,  and  his  wise  munificence  at  home,  have  endeared 
him  alike  to  his  birthplace  and  to  the  nation. 

Yours  respectfully, 

N.  I.  BOWDITCH. 

Hon.  A.  A.  Abbot,  &c.,  Committee. 


[From  George  Peabody,  Esq.,  of  Salem.] 

Messrs.  Gtorge  Osborne  and  others,  Committee. — 
Gentlemen  : 

I  regret  extremely  that  it  will  not  be  in  my  power  to  accept  your 
polite  invitation  to  the  dinner  to  be  given  to  Mr.  Peabody, — being  most 
unexpectedly  obliged  to  embark  for  Europe. 

I  cordially  sympathize  with  you  in  the  sentiments  of  respect  and 
gratitude  which  you  feel  for  the  man  who  has  done  so  much  to  render 
the  American  name  respected  abroad,  and  whose  attachment  to  the 
home  of  his  childhood  has  been  so  signally  manifested  by  wise  acts  of 
beneficence. 

Gratitude  is  said  not  to  be  a  virtue  of  republics  ;  but  I  am  sure  that 
the  spontaneous  homage  rendered  to  Mr.  Peabody  by  the  citizens  of 
Danvers,  will  show  conclusively  that  the  accusation  has  no  foundation 
in  our  community. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE   PEABODY. 


[From  Hon.  Asahel  Huntington.] 

Salem,  Oct.  4,  1856. 
Messrs.  A.  A.  Abbott,  F.  Poolo,  E.  Sutton, 

R.  S.  Daniels,  Committee  of  Invitation,  &c. — 
Gentlemen  : 

Any  invitation  coming  in  behalf  of  the  old  town  of  Danvers  would 
be  entitled  to  the  most  respectful  consideration,  and  to  a  ready  and 
cordial  response  ;  but  when  it  is  |)roposed  to  do  honor  to  a  distingtiislied 
son  of  theirs, — to  one  who  has  reflected  the  highest  credit  on  his  coun- 
try, as  well  as  on  the  place  of  his  nativity, — your  invitation  is  clothed 
with  a  weight  of  authority,  which  it  would  be  quite  difliicult  to  resist.  I 
shall  be  most  happy  to  unite  with  your  fellow-citizens,  in  paying  a 
hearty  tribute  of  respect  to   Mr.  Peabody,  who  may  well   be  regarded 


104 

as  a  public  benefactor, — a  friend  of  his  race  and  generation, — not  for- 
getting the  "  future  generations," — and  therefore  himself  well  worthy 
of  all  manner  of  public  regard  and  respect. 

Yours,  very  respectfully, 

A.  HUNTINGTON. 


[From  Joseph  Peabody,  Esq.] 

New  York,  Oct.  4th,  1856. 
Messrs.  At)bott,  Poole  and  others, 

Committee  of  Invitation,  &c. — 
Gentlemen  : 

I  am  greatly  obliged  by  your  courteous  invitation  (just  received) 
to  the  reception  and  dinner  to  be  given  by  yourselves  and  fellow-citi- 
zens to  our  mutual  friend,  Mr.  George  Peabody,  of  London. 

I  shall  have   great  pleasure   in   being  present  on  an  occasion  so  full 
of  interest  to  all  of  us. 

Again   renewing  my  thanks  for  your  kindness  in  thinking  of  me,  I 
remain. 

Very  respectfully  and  truly  yours, 

JOSEPH  PEABODY. 


[From  John  W.  Proctor,  Esq.] 

South  Danvers,  Sept.  4th,  1856. 
Gentlemen  : 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  invitation  to 
be  present  on  the  9th  inst.,  and  unite  with  my  fellow-citizens  of  the 
"  old  town  of  Danvers,"  in  an  expression  of  gratitude  and  respect  to 
our  ''  distinguished  townsman  and  benefactor,  George  Peabody,  Esq., 
of  London." 

Be  assured,  gentlemen,  that  your  efforts  to  honor  him  who  has  so 
greatly  benefited   us,   in  his  wise  provision  for  the  diffusion  of  knowl- 
edge and  virtue  among  us,  has  my  most  hearty  approbation. 
I  accept  your  invitation. 

Truly,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  W.  PROCTOR. 
To  R.  S.  Daniels,  Ehen  Sutton,  Geo.  Osborne,  A.  A. 
Abbott,  Fitch  Poole,  Esqrs.,  Committee  of  Invitation. 


[From  Samuel  Peabody,  Esq.] 

Andover,  Oct.  7,  1856. 
To  A.  A.  Abbott,  Pitch  Poole,  Eben  Sutton, 

11.  S.  Daniels,  and  George  Osborne,  Esqrs. 
Gentlemen  : 

Your  polite  note  of  the  29th  ult.  is  received.  I  shall  certainly 
give  myself  the  pleasure  to  wait  on  you  and  attend  the  dinner,  unless 
prevented  by  want  of  health. 

You  will  allow  the  Peabody  Family  to  be  proud  of  this  well  merited 


105 

honor,  so  freely  and  cordially  conferred  on  their  most  distinguished 
son.  This  is  not  the  cold  heartless  compliment  of  an  individual,  but 
the  warm  gush  of  gratitude  of  hundreds. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

SAMUEL  PEABODY. 


[From  Dr.  Richard  Spofford.] 

Newburyport,  Oct.  7lh,  1856. 
A.  A.  Abbott,  Esq.— 
Dear  Sir : 

Allow  me  to  congratulate  you  on  the  anticipated  visit  of  your  dis- 
tinguished townsman,  and  our  distinguished  countryman,  George  Pea- 
body,  Esq.,  of  London. 

I  regret  extremely  that  my  health  will    not   permit  me  to  be  present 
on  this  happy  occasion.     That  I  must  decline  the  honor  of  uniting  with 
his  fellow-townsmen,  in  their  "expression  of  gratitude  and  respect." 
Yours,  very  respectfully, 

R.  S.  SPOFFORD. 
N.  B. — Should  sentiments  be  offered  at  the  dinner,  allow  me  to  say: 

George  Peabody,  Esq.,  of  London — An  honor  and  an  ornament  both   to  England 
and  America. 


[From  .Tcremiah  Spofford,  Esq.] 

Groveland,  Oct.  6,  1856. 
Gentlemen  : 

I  received  your  kind    invitation  to  the   reception  of  my  old  friend, 
Mr.  Peabody,  and  shall  attend  Deo  volcnte. 

My  acquaintance  and  frequent  visits  with  that  family  are  among  the 
most  pleasing  reminiscences  of  my  boyhood  and  youth.  I  have  the 
most  vivid  recollection  of  most  of  the  localities  of  your  neighborhood  ; 
derived  more  particularly  from  my  rambles  with  his  elder  brother, — 
often  accompanied  by  the  young  brother, — now  your  honored  guest. 
With  great  respect,  yours, 

JEREMIAH  SPOFFORD. 

Messrs.  Abbott,  Poole,  Sutton,  Daniels  and  Osborne. 


[From  Samuel  Lawrence,  Esq.] 

Boston,  Oct.  8th,  1856. 
Ebcn  Sutton,  Esq..  Danvcrs — 
My  Dear  Sir  : 

Will  you  oblige  me  by  saying  to  your  Committee  that  their  kind 
invitation  to  participate  with  the  citi/.ens  of  Danvers  to-morrow,  in  doing 
honor  to  one  of  her  noblest  sons,  whom  I  claim  as  a  personal  friend  of 
many  many  years,!  am  obliged  to  decline,  inconsequence  of  the  death 
of  a  sister-in-law  yesterday.  My  heart  will  be  with  you,  and  I  remain, 
Your  obt.  servt.  and  friend, 

SAMUEL  LAWRENCE. 


106 

[From  Commodore  Stringham.] 

Com.  Stringham  presents  his  compliments  to  the  citizens  of  the 
"  Old  Town  of  Danvers  "  for  the  kind  invitation  extended  him  through 
their  Committee,  to  unite  with  them  in  the  public  demonstrations  in 
honor  of  George  Peabodv,  Esq.,  on  the  9th  inst.,  but  is  compelled, 
from  other  engagements,  to  deprive  himself  of  the  pleasure. 

His  best  wishes  attend  you,  gentlemen,  in  your  endeavors  to  express 
the  regard  and  esteem  due  to  a  generous  benefactor  and  worthy  man. 

Navy  Yard,  Boston,  Oct.  6,  1856. 
Messrs.  A.  A.  Abbott,  and  others,  Committee  of  Invitation. 


[From  Hon.  Daniel  A.  White  ] 

Salem,  Oct.  8,  1856. 
Messrs.  A.  A.  Abbott,  Fitch  Poole, 

Eben  Sutton,  R.  S.  Daniels,  Geo.  Osborne — 
Gentlemen  : 

I  regret  that  absence  from  Salem  for  the  last  five  days  has  pre- 
vented an  earlier  acknowledgment  of  your  kind  invitation  to  join  with 
the  citizens  of  the  "  Old  Town  of  Danvers,"  in  their  "  public  recep- 
tion and  dinner  proposed  to  be  given  to  their  distinguished  townsman 
and  benefactor,  George  Peabody,  Esq." 

I  thank  you  heartily  for  the  honor  of  this  invitation,  and  gladly  ac- 
cept it  in  the  hope  of  being  present,  to-morrow,  and  of  enjoying,  as 
heretofore,  the  high  gratification  of  uniting  my  sympathies  with  those  of 
the  good  people  of  Danvers,  in  honoring  a  benefactor,  who  is  entitled 
to  all  honor, — whose  early  life  was  known  to  me,  and  whose  noble  vir- 
tues have  inspired  me  with  sincere  respect. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  yours. 

D.  A.  WHITE. 


[From  Hon.  John  G.  King.] 

My  Dear  Sir  :  Salem,  Oct.  9\h,  1856. 

I  have  delayed  answering  the  kind  invitation  of  your  Committee,  to 
assist  with  the  people  of  the  old  town  of  Danvers,  on  the  occasion  of 
the  reception  of  their  "  distinguished  townsman  and  benefactor,  George 
Peabody,  Esq.,  of  London,"  in  the  hope  that  I  might  make  such  a  dis- 
position of  my  engagements  for  that  day  as  would  enable  me  to  be  pres- 
ent. But  now,  at  the  last  hour,  finding  this  to  be  impossible,  I  beg  to 
acknowledge  the  honor  done  me  by  this  attention,  and  to  express  my 
disappointment  that  I  cannot  testify  my  high  respect  for  your  lionored 
guest,  and  my  regard  for  my  friends  and  neighbors,  by  accepting  your 
invitation.  If  there  is  anything  in  the  course  of  the  events  of  common 
life  more  worthy  of  respect  and  reverence  than  the  spectacle  this  day 
exhibited  in  your  ancient  town,  I  know  not  when  and  where  it  is  to  be 
found.  A  man,  who  has  attained  the  very  pinnacle  of  wealth  and  suc- 
cess in  life  by  his  industry,  integrity,  enterprise,  and  self-reliance,  re- 
membering by  wise  and  munificent  benefactions  the  place  of  his  birth, 
returning  to  it  after  a  long  absence  with  unabated  love  of  his  native 
soil  and  the  scenes  of  his  early  days,  and  the  whole  people,  from  ex- 


107 

treme  old  ngc  to  the  very  vero;G  of  infancy,  uniting  in  a  grateful  tribute 
lo  his  character,  and  acknovvledgnnent  of  the  blessings  he  lias  so  disin- 
terestedly and  bountifully  conferred  upon  them  !  Benefactions,  too, 
not  only  relieving  the  wants  of  the  needy,  but  liberally  providing  for 
the  education  of  the  young,  and  for  the  diffusion  among  them  of  all 
necessary  helps  to  establish  truth,  knowledge  and  liberty  in  their  com- 
munity forever. 

For  such  disinterested  and  thoughtful  beneficence,  for  the  eminently 
wise  arrangements  by  which  you  have  carried  the  views  of  your  noble 
townsman  into  successful  operation,  and  for  such  general  and  heartfelt 
gratitude  as  to-day  pervades  your  ancient  town,  I  have  no  words  to 
express  my  respect  and  admiration. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  truly  and  respectfully  yours, 

JOHN  G.  KING. 

Fitch  Poole,  Esq., 
of  the  Committee  of  Invitation,  &c.  &c.,  S.  Danvers. 


[From  Samuel  Frothingham,  Jr.,  Esq.] 

Gentlemen  : 

Accept  my  acknowledgment  for  the  honor  of  your  invitation  to 
the  complimentary  dinner  to  be  given  to  George  Peabody,  Esq.,  by  the 
citizens  of  Danvers,  on  the  9th  inst.  ;  and  the  assurance  of  my  deep 
regret  that  engagements  of  an  imperative  character  will  preclude  my 
participating  with  you  in  the  pleasure  of  so  interesting  an  occasion. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obt.  servt., 

S.  FROTHINGHAM,  Jr. 
To  Hon.  R.  S.  Daniels,  George  Osborne, 
A.  A.  Abbott,  Ebcn  Sutton,  Fitch  Poole. 


[From  W.  W.  Corcoran,  Esq.] 

Gentlemen  :  Philadelphia,  Oct.  7th,  1856. 

Your  kind  invitation  of  the  29th  ult.  only  reached  me  here  to-day, 
too  late  for  me  to  arrange  to  be  present  at  the  very  interesting  reception 
of  our  esteemed  friend,  Mr.  Peabody,  in  his  native  town. 

Allow  me  to  thank  you  for  the  honor  you  have  done  me,  and  to  ex- 
press my  sincere  regret  at  not  being  able  to  be  with  you. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  W.  CORCORAN. 

To  F.  Poole,  Esq.,  and  others.  Committee. 


[From  Alexander  Duncan,  Esq.] 
Dear  Sir:  Philadelphia,  Oct.  7,  1856. 

I  regret  much  that  my  attendance  here,  at  the  General  Convention 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  as  a  delegate,  must  deprive  me  of 
the  pleasure  of  accepting  your  very  kind  invitation  to  meet  my  friend, 
Mr.  George  Peabody,  at  his  native  |)lace. 

Witii  respect,  your  obt.  servt., 

ALEX.  DUNCAN. 


108 

[Prom  Hon.  George  Bancroft.] 

New  York,  October  4,  1856. 
My  Dear  Sir : 

1  have  received  your  invitation  to  be  present  at  your  festival  of 
next  week,  and  regret  most  sincerely,  that  my  engagements  prevent 
my  going  so  far  from  home  at  this  time.  Tlie  eulogist  of  a  very  dis- 
tinguished American,  who  like  your  guest  passed  most  of  his  life  in 
Europe,  was  able  to  say  of  him,  that  dying  he  remembered  his  biiih- 
place.  Our  friend  has  done  better ;  he  has  given  proof  that  in  all  his 
absence  he  has  preserved  "  his  heart  untravelled  ;"  and  during  his  life- 
time he  wisely  connects  himself  by  grateful  deeds  with  the  home  of  his 
boyhood.  I  should  be  very  glad  to  join  with  you  in  bidding  him  cor- 
dially welcome  on  his  return. 

I  am  ever,  dear  sir,  very  truly  vours, 
Fitch  Poole,  Esq.  GEORGE  BANCROFT. 


[From  Hon.  Henry  Barnard.] 

Boston,  Oct.  8th,  1856. 
To  Fitch  Poole,  Esq.,  and  others — 

I  beg  to  acknowledge  the  honor  of  your  invitation  sent  to  me  at 
Hartford  and  renewed  through  Mr.  Blake,  to  attend  the  public  recep- 
tion which  the  towns  of  Danvers  and  South  Danvers,  by  a  unanimous 
vote,  pro[)ose  to  give  to  George  Peabody,  of  London,  in  consideration 
of  his  high  commercial  character,  his  truly  national  services  to  the 
mercai:^tilc  credit  of  his  country  in  times  of  pecuniary  wreck  and  disas- 
ter, and  his  many  acts  of  public  spirit  and  philanthropy  towards  his 
native  place  during  his  long  residence  abroad. 

Although  not  partial  to  fetes  of  any  kind,  or  to  ovations  to  the  living 
for  any  degree  of  merit,  I  shall  be  happy  to  witness  and  join  in  the 
popular  demonstration  of  respect  and  gratitude,  so  seldom  bestowed 
save  on  the  successful  politician  and  military  chiefiain, — towards  one 
who  wears  the  honors  of  great  wealth  so  meekly,  and  employs  it  on 
such  large  objects  of  patriotism,  humanity,  science  and  education. 
But  whether  I  am  with  you  in  person  or  not,  be  assured  I  shall  be  with 
you  and  your  towns-people  in  spirit  to-morrow, — happy  in  an  oppor- 
tunity to  express  my  acknowledgments  for  many  personal  attentions 
extended  to  me  while  sojourning  in  London.  My  thanks  for  the 
exaltation  which  he,  a  poor  boy  of  Danvers,  has  given  to  the  character 
of  the  American  merchant,  not  so  much  by  his  eminent  success  ac- 
quired by  sagacity,  probity,  and  diligence,  but  for  retaining  his  home- 
bred partialities  in  foreign  lands,  and  at  the  same  time  using  his  great 
opportunities  to  bind  two  great  countries  in  the  bonds  of  social  inter- 
course ;  and,  more  than  all,  my  thanks,  as  an  humble  laborer  in  the  field 
of  popular  education,  for  his  munificent  endowment  to  promote  the 
cause  of  morality  and  learning,  by  books  and  lectures,  and  to  encourage 
scholarship  and  good  behavior  in  the  public  schools  in  his  native  town. 
With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  BARNARD. 


1 


109 


The  sliades  of  evening  were  now  fast  hastening  on,  and  the 
company  felt  obliged  to  separate.  Mr.  Peabody  and  iiis  friends 
were  escorted  from  the  Pavilion  by  the  military  company  to 
the  residence  of  the  President  of  the  day,  a'ld  many  of  the 
guests,  from  a  distance,  left  town  in  the  evening  trains. 


THE  EVENING  LEVEES. 

The  great  pnblic  Levee  at  the  Hall  of  the  Peabody  Insti- 
tute was  attended  by  crowded  throngs  of  our  citizens,  who 
were  eager  to  obtain  an  introduction  to  Mr.  Peabody  and  offer 
him  their  congratulations.  The  ease  and  courtesy  with  which 
he  received  such  numbers  of  people,  taking  each  one  by  the 
hand  as  they  passed  him,  was  a  subject  of  common  remark. 
To  most  he  had  an  appropriate  word  to  say,  and  frequently, 
as  a  familiar  name  occurred,  he  would  recall  incidents  of  his 
youth,  connected  with  families  and  localities,  which  showed  a 
most  accurate  and  retentive  memory.  He  was  especially  at- 
tentive to  the  children  presented  to  him,  making  familiar 
inquiries  as  to  the  particular  school  they  attended,  their  part  in 
the  procession,  with  sometimes  a  word  of  counsel. 

As  soon  as  the  pressure  was  relieved,  and  the  curiosity  of 
the  people  in  a  measure  gratified,  Mr.  Peabody  retired  from 
the  Hall  and  attended  another  Levee  at  the  residence  of  Mr. 
Daniels,  whose  guest  he  was  during  his  present  visit.  Here  a 
large  company  had  assembled  to  pay  their  respects  to  Mr. 
Peabody,  and  partake  of  the  hospitality  of  his  host. 

At  the  same  hour  the  hospitable  and  elegant  mansion  of  Gen. 
Sutton,  the  Chief  Marshal  of  the  day,  was  thrown  open,  and 
thronged  with  numerous  guests.  The  Governor  and  suite  were 
there,  and  a  fine  band  of  martial  music  in  attendance.  Here, 
also,  Mr.  Peabody  appeared  late  in  the  evening,  to  the  great 
gratification  of  the  company  assembled.  He  must  have  been 
greatly  fatigued  from  the  exertion  and  excitements  of  the  day, 
but  he  appeared  in  fine  spirits,  receiving  his  friends  with  the 


no 

same   courtesy   and    attention   as   if  it   were  but  an  ordinary 
occasion. 

This  was  a  brilliant  and  graceful  conclusion  of  a  day,  de- 
lightful iu  itself,  interesting  in  its  events,  and  unexpectedly 
successful   in  its  results. 


THE  NEXT  DAY. 

Mr.  Peabody  appeared  in  our  streets  the  next  morning,  ap- 
parently as  fresh  and  vigorous  as  usual.  He  made  personal 
inquiry  and  observation  of  all  matters  relating  to  the  Institute, 
examining  the  Treasurer's  books,  and  the  books  and  forms  used 
in  the  management  of  the  Library.  While  in  the  Library 
Room  he  entered  his  name  as  an  applicant  for  books,  having 
complied  with  the  regulations,  by  obtaining  a  certificate  of 
recommendation  from  one  of  the  Board  of  Reference. 

He  expressed  great  satisfaction  with  all  the  proceedings  of 
the  Town,  the  Trustees,  and  the  Committee  ;  declared  his  con- 
tinued interest  in  the  success  of  the  Institute,  and  his  intention 
to  sustain  it.  He  said  he  was  not  only  pleased  with  its  man- 
agement, but  proud  of  its  high  position  and  successful  results. 

He  passed  the  remainder  of  the  day  in  company  with  his 
sisters  in  visiting  the  "  homes  and  haunts"  and  friends  of  his 
early  youth.  At  about  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  they  took 
their  departure  for  Georgetown,  the  place  of  residence  of  one 
of  his  sisters.  As  they  passed  through  Danvers  a  large  crowd 
was  gathered  in  the  square,  near  the  Village  Bank,  expecting 
his  approach.  He  met  their  congratulations  by  bowing  to  the 
people  on  either  side,  until  his  progress  was  arrested  by  a  chain 
of  little  children,  who  had  joined  hands  and  thus  stopped  his 
carriage.  The  people  then  thronged  about  him,  eager  to  grasp 
his  willing  hand,  after  which  he  arose  in  his  carriage  and  ex- 
pressed his  pleasure  at  the  agreeable  device  by  which  he  had 
been  waylaid  on  his  journey,  and  publicly  thanked  the  citizens 
for  this  gratifying  interview,  and  the  more  public  honors  he 
had  received,  which,  he  said,  were   far  more   than  he  could 


Ill 

have  anticipated,  and  which  would  ever  be  remembered  and 
cherished  in  his  heart.  He  then  bade  the  people  farewell  and 
drove  away,  while  cheer  upon  cheer  went  up  from  the  people, 
and  followed  him  until  out  of  hearing. 

Another  pleasant  incident  occurred  at  this  locality,  which, 
although  not  immediately  connected  with  our  celebration,  yet, 
as  it  grew  out  of  it,  we  will  narrate. 

On  Friday  morning.  Governor  Gardner,  accompanied  by 
Gen.  Sutton,  of  whom  he  was  a  guest,  proceeded  to  North 
Danvers,  to  view  the  decorations  which  adorned  the  route  over 
which  Mr.  Peabody  passed  the  day  before.  He  was  stopped 
near  the  Village  Bank  Building,  on  the  steps  of  which.  Rev. 
A.  P.  Putnam,  of  Roxbury,  now  visiting  his  native  place,  ad- 
dressed him  a  few  pertinent  words  of  welcome,  which  Gov- 
ernor Gardner  responded  to,  according  to  the  Boston  Journal, 
substantially  as  follows  : — 

'•  He  said  it  was  a  great  pleasure  to  him  to  meet  the  citizens 
of  Danvers  at  such  a  time,  and  in  such  a  way.  He  should  not 
regret  that  he  acceded  to  the  proposal  of  his  esteemed  friend, 
(Gen.  Sutton,)  and  from  his  hospitable  mansion  took  this  morn- 
ing ride  to  the  flourishing  village  of  Danvers.  Everywhere  as 
he  rode  along  he  saw  unmistakable  proofs  of  an  industrious 
and  energetic  population — proof  that  the  worthy  men  of  the 
past  were  not  succeeded  by  an  unworthy  posterity.  His  mind 
could  not  but  dwell  upon  the  scene  of  yesterday.  That  was  a 
glorious  occasion.  That  was  an  ovation  which,  in  all  its  de- 
tails, none  but  a  New  England  town  could  carry  through  so 
successfully.  It  was  a  noble  tribute  to  the  worth  of  a  noble 
man.  Should  the  opportunity  be  aff'orded  him,  he  should 
gladly  embrace  it  to  visit  Danvers  again,  when  he  would  tarry 
longer,  and  form  a  fuller  acquaintance  with  her  people." 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  Governor's  remarks,  crowds  came 
forward  to  shake  him  by  the  hand,  after  which  he  was  con- 
ducted over  the  bank  building  by  Wm.  L.  Weston,  Esq.,  the 
Cashier,  after  which  a  few  more  pleasant  remarks  were  ex- 
changed between  the  guest  and  the  people. 


112 


CONCLUSION. 

It)  concluding  this  narrative  of  the  events  of  a  day,  long  to 
be  remembered  as  one  of  the  most  illustrious  in  our  local  his- 
tory, we  may  be  iiKlulged  in  the  expression  of  an  honest  pride 
in  the  success  which  has  attended  our  efforts  to  do  honor  to 
our  Guest.  In  this,  our  aim,  we  feel  (hat  all  our  arrangements 
have  been  wisely  conceived,  and  most  happily  carried  out.  It 
is  and  always  will  be  a  source  of  pleasant  contemplation  to  our 
citizens  to  dwell  upon  its  various  particular  incidents  and  its 
beauty  as  a  whole. 

Its  successful  results  in  the  main  objects  for  which  it  was 
undertaken — the  rendering  of  honor  where  honor  was  preem- 
inently due,  the  enlargement  of  mind  to  which  it  gave  rise, 
the  feelings  of  amity  and  good  will  it  called  forth,  the  delight 
it  afforded  to  the  thousands  who  flocked  to  behold  it,  the 
thankfulness  and  gratitude  it  inspired, — all  these  are  practical 
benefits,  growing  out  of  the  scenes  of  that  red-letter  day  in  our 
calendar,  which  far  surpass  in  value  any  pecuniary  cost  by 
which  they  have  been  secured. 

It  is  with  a  view  to  perpetuate  the  remembrance  of  the 
events  of  the  festival  in  the  minds  of  those  who  were  so  fortu- 
nate as  to  be  participators,  and  to  give  information  to  those 
who,  although  absent,  yet  feel  an  interest  in  our  town,  or  in 
its  honored  guest,  that  they  have  been  here  chronicled.  Nor 
is  this  all.  We  wish  these  Memorials  to  exist  as  annals  in  our 
history,  for  the  benefit  of  our  children  and  generations  yet  un- 
born. We  wish  this  record  to  remain  as  part  of  the  history  of 
that  Institution  which  is  now  doing  so  much,  and  which  is 
destined  in  all  coming  time  to  do  more,  for  the  promotion  of 
useful  knowledge  and  sound  morality.  We  wish  to  cherish 
in  perpetual  remembrance  the  benevolent  deeds  of  its  founder, 
and  hold  up  his  example  for  the  imitation  of  others.^  We  wish 
sacredly  to  preserve  his  precious  words  addressed  to  our  chil- 
dren, that  they  may  be  the  guide  of  successive  generations  as 
they  come  on  the  stage  of  action. 


113 

111  presenting  a  narrative  of  passing  events  we  have  called 
in  the  aid  of  the  artist's  pencil  to  fix  more  permanently  the 
scene  on  the  memory  of  those  who  were  present,  and  to  gratifj 
the  laudable  cnriosity  which  may  be  excited  in  those  who  were 
absent.  These  pictorial  representations  add  mnch  to  the  per- 
manent value  of  the  book,  and  its  readers  will  be  likely  to 
regard  (hem  with  feelings  somewhat  akin  to  those  inspired  by 
the  skilfully-portrayed  lineaments  of  a  valued  friend,  delight- 
ing equally  from  the  faithfulness  of  the  picture  and  the  pleas- 
ing remembrances  it  calls  into  exercise. 

Another  source  of  gratification,  if  not  of  self-gratulation^  t« 
our  people,  is  the  unanimous  and  enthusiastic  expression  of 
satisfaction  and  delight  with  which  our  demonstration  was 
regarded  by  the  numerous  strangers  who  honored  the  occasion 
by  their  presence.  From  all  directions  come  congratulations 
and  praise.  Old  Danvers  is  commended  as  much  for  her  pub- 
lic spirit,  her  good  taste,  her  hospitality,  and  her  graceful  ex- 
pression of  gratitude  to  her  benefactor  as  for  her  early  patriot- 
ism and  interesting  historical  associations.  As  her  citizens  go 
abroad  they  are  met  by  what  they  regard  as  most  extravagant 
compliments  on  their  artistic  taste  and  aptness  for  display. 

We  have  annexed  to  this  account  some  of  these  compli- 
mentary remarks,  from  several  newspapers,  which  were  repre- 
sented here  either  by  their  editors,  reporters  or  corresjx)ndents.. 
Notwithstanding  their  seeming  excess  of  eulogistic  commen- 
dation, we  can  find  no  reason  for  doubting  the  sincerity  of  the- 
writers.  We  therefore  see  no  impropriety  in  placing  them  on 
record  as  part  of  the  cotemporaneous  history  of  the  times. 

Nor  are  we  governed  wholly  by  selfish  considerations  in 
thus  giving  to  the  world  a  narrative  detailing  with  minuteness 
the  brilliant  success  of  our  endeavors.  It  is  due,  not  only  to 
ourselves,  but  to  our  eminent  and  distinguished  townsman,, 
that  this  record  should  be  preserved.  He  was  the  object  andt 
occasion  of  our  demonstrations  of  joy.  To  him  we  owe,  more 
than  to  any  wisdom  exerted  in  devising  our  plans,  the  gratify- 
ing results  of  the  day.  His  extended  fame  brought  to  our 
banquet  the  great  and  the  learned  of  our  land.  Their  presence 
8 


114 

gave  character  to  our  festival,  and  quickened  and  animated 
our  people  in  their  preparations.  Our  gratitude  to  him  should 
therefore  prompt  us  to  place  in  an  enduring  form  the  results  of 
our  attempt  to  give  it  expression. 

The  extended  notoriety  which  has  been  given  to  this  ova- 
tion has  incidentally  resulted,  by  the  numbers  of  strangers  who 
assembled  here,  in  m.aking  more  widely  known  our  business 
operations  and  capabilities.  To  many  persons  abroad  our 
town  has  occupied  quite  a  secondary  position,  considered  in  its 
business  relations,  partly  on  account  of  its  situation  as  the  sub- 
urb of  a  neighboring  city,  and  partly  from  the  quiet  and  unob- 
trusive manner  with  which  its  principal  business  is  conducted. 
Intelligent  men  from  a  distance,  who  for  the  first  time  have 
been  personal  observers  of  the  signs  of  thrift  in  our  business 
'ivillages,  have  expressed  themselves  most  happily  disappointed 
to  iind  such  unmistakable  evidences  of  extended  business 
.transactions. 

We  are  assured  that  this  feeling  of  surprise  was  shared  by 
him  whose  good  opinion  we  value  above  all  others,  to  find 
such  proofs  of  enlargement  and  improvement  so  far  beyond 
his  highest  expectations.  He  had  heard  much  of  our  increase 
in  population  and  wealth,  and  of  improvements  in  external 
appearance,  but  he  confessed  that  the  changes  had  been  far 
greater  than  his  largest  expectations  had  pictured. 

There  is  another  object  of  this  publication,  which  will  not 
be  effected  without  giving  some  particular  account  of  the 
origin  and  history  of  the  noble  Institution  which  is  planted  in 
our  midst.  We  therefore  append  a  sketch  of  its  history  as  a 
proper  prelude  to  an  account  of  the  ceremonies  which  took 
place  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  edifice,  and  the 
•exercises  at  its  consecration  to  its  appropriate  uses.  These 
occasions,  as  well  as  the  one  which  it  has  been  the  principal 
object  of  these  pages  to  delineate,  are  very  important  chapters 
in  its  history.  They  not  only  illustrate,  in  a  graceful  and 
happy  manner,  the  origin,  design,  and  end  of  the  Institution 
itself,  but  add  new  brightness  to  the  halo  of  light  which  encir- 
cles the  name  of  its  benevolent  Founder. 


115 


THE  PRESS. 

[From  the  Boston  Evening  Transcript  of  October  9.] 

GEORGE  PEABODY,  ESQ. 

Two  of  the  most  enterprising  and  beautiful  towns  in  this  Common- 
wealth to-day  present  a  rare  and  suggestive  spectacle.  The  places  a 
(e\v  years  ago  were  divided,  but  to-day  they  are  again  united  as  of 
old,  in  an  expression  of  gratitude  and  respect  to  a  native  son.  He  re- 
turns after  an  absence  of  more  than  twenty  years  to  visit  his  relatives 
and  the  scenes  of  his  youth,  and  to  note  the  rapid  progress  of  his  native 
State,  and  the  prosperity  of  his  country.  The  merchants  of  the  four 
great  seats  of  American  commerce  have  invited  him  to  be  their  guest, 
and  to  receive  such  testimonials  of  public  regard  and  consideration  as 
are  rarely  given  to  a  private  citizen.  These  flattering  marks  of  respect 
from  the  leading  merchants  have  been  declined,  and  the  business  of  a 
formal  public  welcome  is  reserved  for  the  people  of  the  old  town  of 
Danvers.  They  duly  appreciate  this  honor  and  privilege,  and  the  ser- 
vices of  this  day  will  show  that  it  has  fallen  upon  those  who  will  make 
the  occasion  a  memorable  one.  In  order  to  give  as  full  an  account  of 
the  reception  as  possible,  we  omit  several  articles  intended  for  insertion 
to-day,  and  present  our  readers  with  an  extended  report  of  the  details 
of  the  celebration. 

George  Peabody  was  born  in  Danvers,  February  18th,  1795.  For 
two  centuries  his  family  have  been  influential  residents  in  Essex  Coun- 
ty, and  nearly  all  the  Peabodys  in  the  country  have  descended  from 
the  first  settler  of  the  name,  who  arrived  in  Topsfield,  near  Danvers,  in 
1657.  In  May,  1807,  Mr.-  Peabody,  then  a  lad  only  eleven  years  of 
age,  was  placed  in  a  grocery  store,  where  he  remained  about  four 
years.  In  April,  1811,  he  went  as  clerk  with  his  brother  David,  who 
kept  a  dry-goods  store  in  Newburyport.  The  great  fire  in  that  town 
the  same  year,  destroyed  the  store  of  the  brother,  who  failed  in  conse- 
quence of  the  loss,  and  the  sudden  death  of  his  father,  at  about  the  same 
time,  deprived  him  of  a  home.  Thus,  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  Mr. 
Peabody  was  an  orphan  without  funds,  situation  or  influential  friends. 
In  May,  1812,  he  sailed  from  Newbury |)ort  for  (Georgetown,  D.  C, 
with  his  uncle,  and  the  two  soon  afterwards  established  themselves  in 
the  place  last  named,  where  they  remained  in  business  two  j'ears. 

Before  Mr.  Peabody  was  nineteen  years  of  age  he  was  admitted  as  a 
partner  with  Mr.  Elisha  Riggs.  The  dry  goods  house  of  Riggs  & 
Peabody  was  rf  moved  to  Baltimore  in  1815,  and  other  houses  were 
established  in  Philadelphia  and  New  York  in  1822.  In  1829,  Mr. 
Riggs  retired  from  the  firm,  and  his  nephew  took  his  place,  when  the 
name  of  the  house  was  changed  to  Pcab:dy,  Riggs  &  Co.  He  first 
visited  England  in  1827,  and  made  several  voyages  during  the  next 
ten  years.  He  last  embarked  for  England  in  February,  1837,  and 
until  now  has  not  since  been  in  this  country.  In  1843,  he  retired  from 
the  firm  above  named,  and  established  himself  in  London. 

"  It  is  rare  in  this  country,"  writes  one  who  knows  Mr,  Peabody 


116 

well,  "that,  without  advantages  of  birth,  or  inheritance,  or  education, 
or  public  place,  a  sinnple-minded,  unobtrusive,  straight-forward  man,  be- 
comes, by  the  few  means  liiat  commercial  life  gives,  preeminent  among 
his  peers;  and  it  is  rarer  still,  that  in  another  country,  and  thai  country 
famous  for  individual  wealth,  a  man  like  this,  among  the  merchant 
princes  of  that  country's  metropolis,  should  rise  to  distinction.  That 
man's  character  which  is  elevated  by  means  of  pure  personal  merit, 
becomes,  by  the  strongest  title,  the  property  of  the  rising  generation  of 
his  country,  for  their  model  and  example.  And  such  a  man  is  Mr. 
George  Peabody." 

In  June,  1652,  the  town  of  Danvers  held  its  centennial  celebration, 
and  Mr.  Peabody  was  invited  to  be  present.  In  reply  to  this  invitation, 
a  letter  was  received  from  him,  in  which,  after  regretting  his  inability 
to  be  present  at  the  approaching  festival,  alluding  to  his  school-boy 
days,  and  the  affection  he  retained  for  his  native  town,  and  remarking, 
in  relation  to  the  growth  of  our  country,  that  "  he  could  hardly  see 
bounds  to  our  possible  future  if  we  preserve  harmony  among  ourselves, 
and  good  faith  to  the  rest  of  the  world,  and  if  we  plant  the  unrivalled 
New  England  institution  of  the  Common  Schools  liberally  among  the 
emigrants  who  are  filling  up  the  great  valley  of  the  Mississippi" — he 
stated  that  he  had  enclosed  a  sentiment,  and  asked  that  it  might  remain 
sealed  till  his  letter  was  read  on  the  day  of  the  celebration,  when  it  was 
to  be  opened  according  to  the  direction  on  the  envelope.  In  compli- 
ance with  the  direction,  the  seal  was  broken  while  the  toasts  were  being 
proposed  at  dinner.     This  was  the  sentiment : 

Education — A  debt  due  from  present  to  future  generations. 

Then  came  the  following  announcement,  in  eloquent  proof  that  the 
above  was,  with  him,  not  a  mere  sentiment : 

"  In  acknowledgment  of  the  payment  of  that  debt  by  the  generation 
which  preceded  me  in  my  native  town  of  Danvers,  and  to  aid  in  its 
prompt  future  discharge,  I  give  to  the  inhabitants  of  that  town  the  sum 
of  twenty  thousand  dollars,  for  the  promotion  of  knowledge  and  moral- 
ity among  them. 

"  I  beg  to  remark,  that  the  subject  of  making  a  gift  to  my  native 
town  has  for  some  years  occupied  my  mind,  and  I  avail  myself  of  your 
present  interesting  festival  to  make  the  communication,  in  the  hope  that 
It  will  add  to  the  pleasures  of  the  day." 

Mr.  Peabody  has  since  increased  this  gift  to  the  sum  of  $45,000,  and 
a  large  and  beautiful  brick  edifice,  known  as  the  Peabody  Institute,  is 
now  one  of  the  prominent  objects  of  interest  in  Danvers.  In  the  upper 
story  is  a  commodious  lecture  room,  adorned  by  a  splendidly  framed 
full-length  portrait  of  the  liberal  donor,  the  library-room  being  on  the 
first  floor.  The  library  numbers  at  present  5000  well  selected  vol- 
umes, and  the  industry  with  which  they  are  used,  shows  that  the  people 
of  the  town  highly  appreciate  the  kindness  of  their  benefactor.  Mr. 
Peabodv  also  gives  yearly  8200  to  be  expended  in  medals  for  the  meri- 
torious "scholars  of  the  two  High  Schools  of  the  town,  one  of  which,  in 
honor  of  him,  is  called  the  Peabody  High  School. 

The  new  rooms  of  the  Mercantile  Library  Association  in  this  city 
are   decorated   with   the  portraits  of  prominent  merchants ;   Peter  C. 


117 

Brooks,  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  William  Gray,  Thomas  C.  Amory,  Abbott 
Lawrence,  Robert  G.  Siiaw,  and  oihers,  and  there  is  room  for  a  num- 
ber more.  Some  of  the  older  members  of  the  Institution  have  em- 
ployed an  artist  to  paint  the  portrait  of  Mr.  Peabody  from  life,  which 
they  intend  to  present  to  the  Association.  The  work  is  now  in  prog- 
ress, and  the  artist  has  recently  had  several  sittings  at  the  residence  of 
Mr.  Peabody's  sifter,  in  Georgetown.  This  movement  is  highly  cred- 
itable to  all  the  parties  concerned. 

In  personal  appearance,  Mr.  Peabody  looks  more  a  professional  than 
a  business  man.  He  is  some  six  feet  tall,  erect,  with  a  florid  com- 
plexion, and  a  fine  bold  forehead.  He  may  be  past  fifty  years  in  age, 
though  his  appearance  does  not  indicate  it.  He  is  ready,  intelligent  in 
no  ordinary  degree,  copious  in  power  of  expressing  his  views,  and 
truly  sincere  in  everything  which  he  does  and  says. 

In  commercial  phrase  he  is  preeminently  a  reliable  man,  showing 
neither  to  friends  or  enemies,  under  any  circumstances,  any  phase  of 
character  which  will  not  be  found  stable  in  every  event. 

The  editor  of  the  published  account  of  the  Danvcrs  Centennial  Cele- 
bration, in  narrating  the  facts  respecting  the  gift  of  Mr.  Peabody,  men- 
tions the  circumstances  of  his  youth,  and  adds  thereto  these  words  : 

"  Might  we  invade  the  sanctuary  of  his  early  home,  and  the  circle  of 
his  immediate  connections,  we  could  light  around  the  youthful  pos- 
sessor of  a  few  hundreds  of  dollars, — the  avails  of  the  most  severe  and 
untiring  efforts, — a  brighter  halo  than  his  elegant  hospitalities,  his  mu- 
nificent donations,  or  his  liberal  public  acts,  now  shed  over  the  rich 
London  banker." 


[Specially  reported  for  tlie  Boston  Transcript.] 
RECEPTION  OF  MR.  PEABODY  AT  DANVERS. 

Danvers,  Oct.  9,  1856. 

The  people  of  Danvers  have  made  extensive  preparations  for  the 
festival  that  takes  place  to-day.  The  entire  population  enter  info  the 
arrangements  in  a  way  that  shows  how  the  beneficence  of  the  princely 
merchant,  Mr.  Peabody,  is  regarded  by  the  public  here.  Nearly  every 
house  on  the  chief  streets  of  the  town  is  decorated  with  more  or  less 
taste,  and  the  wealthier  occupants  have  been  quite  lavish  in  expenditure 
for  this  object.  Main  Street,  as  viewed  from  either  end,  with  its  tri- 
umphal arches  and  its  rows  of  flags  suspended  at  various  points  across 
the  street,  presents  a  magnificent  appearance.  This  street  is  peculiar- 
ly well  situated  for  decorations  of  this  nature,  from  the  beautiful  border 
of  trees  that  skirts  the  sidewalks.  Other  avenues,  particularly  Wash- 
ington Street,  are  handsomely  decorated,  and  the  day  is  a  gala  one  for 
the  people  of  all  this  vicinity. 

Many  of  the  most  distinguished  citizens  in  the  country  are  expected 
to  participate  in  the  proceedings  of  the  occasion.  Letters  of  invitation 
were  sent  to  the  following  named  gentlemen,  some  of  whom,  however, 
are  unable  to  be  present : — 

Hon.  Rufus  Choate  ;  Hon.  George  S.  Hillard  ;  Hon.  R.  C.  Winthrop  ; 


118 

Rev.  Dr.  Walker,  President  of  Harvard  University  ;  Professor  Felton  ; 
Hon  A.  H.  Rice,  Mayor  of  Boston,  and  Hon.  Win.  Appleton,  dele- 
gates from  the  city  of  Boston,  whose  municipal  authorities  invited  Mr. 
Peabody  to  a  public  reception  in  that  city  ;  Governor  Gardner  ;  Mayors 
and  Aldermen  of  Salem  and  Newburyport ;  Charles  Augustus  Davis 
and  delegates  from  New  York ;  S.  V.  Merrick,  Esq.,  and  deputation 
from  Phihidelphia ;  J.  C.  Brune,  chairman  of  committee  and  delegation 
from  Baltimore  ;  Messrs.  T.  Bigelow,  James  and  Abbott  Lawrence, 
N.  I.  Bovvditch,  George  Bancroft,  Dr.  E.  K.  Kane,  Alexander  Duncan, 
(firm  of  Duncan  &  Sherman  of  New  York,)  Rev.  John  Pierpont,  Mrs. 
J.  S.  Morgan,  (wife  of  Mr.  Peabody's  partner,  resident  in  London,) 
T.  G.  Grattan,  British  Consul  at  Boston ;  Hon.  A.  Huntington,  Messrs. 
O.  P.  and  N.  J.  Lord,  George  Peabody,  David  Pingree,  Hon.  John  G. 
King,  Judge  Perkins,  Hon.  S.  C.  Phillips,  Hon.  R.  S.  Rogers,  of  Salem  ; 
Hon.  Henry  Barnard,  Superintendent  of  Schools  ;  Washington  Irving; 
W.  W.  Corcoran,  banker  in  London ;  Commodore  Stringham  of 
Charlestown ;  Professor  Agassiz;  Peter  Cooper  of  New  York;  Ex- 
Governor  George  S.  Boutwell,  George  B.  Blake,  J.  Murray  Plovve, 
Jarvis  Slade,  C.  A.  Davis  of  New  York  ;  Lieut. -Gov.  Raymond  of 
New  York;  Hon.  N.  G.  Upham,  formerly  Commissioner  to  London; 
the  clergy  of  South  Danvers  and  Danvers  ;  Henry  Cristy  of 'London; 
Joseph  Peabody  of  New  York,  and  many  others. 

Letters  were  received  from  many  of  the  above  named  gentlemen, 
expressing  regrets  at  not  being  able  to  attend  the  Festival. 

Mr.  Peabody  was  received  at  Rev.  Mr.  Fletcher's  church,  in  Maple 
Street,  Danvers,  about  9  o'clock  this  morning,  he  having  just  arrived 
from  Georgetown.  From  thence  he  was  escorted  by  a  cavalcade  of 
Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  and  a  procession  consisting  of  the  municipal 
authorities  of  North  and  South  Danvers,  invited  guests,  school  teachers 
and  pupils,  fire  department  and  military,  to  the  Peabody  Institute  in 
South  Danvers,  where  the  first  reception  speech  was  delivered  by  Hon. 
Alfred  A.  Abbott. 


[Special  telegraphic  despatcli  to  tlic  Transcript.] 

South  Danvers,  Thursday,  2  o'clock,  P.  ]\I. 

The  influx  of  strangers  into  Danvers  is  immense.  At  all  the  princi- 
pal points  the  sidewalks  are  lined  with  spectators  :  all  portions  of  the 
town  present  a  moving  mass  of  humanity.  The  fair  damsels  of  Essex 
are  here  in  their  strength,  and  the  reputation  for  beauty  they  have  long 
enjoyed  is  amply  sustained  by  the  bright  eyes  and  rosy  countenances 
visible  on  every  hand. 

As  the  procession  moved  along  the  route  previously  prescribed,  the 
plaudits  of  the  throng  and  the  smiles  of  the  ladies  indicated  how  strong- 
ly the  favorite  son  of  Danvers  had  enshrined  himself  in  the  hearts  of 
her  people. 

The  procession  was  long  and  imposing.  The  cavalcade,  composed 
of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  in  itself  a  novel  thing  for  an  American  fete, 
from  the  strong  numbers  mustered  and  the  admirable  manner  in  which 
the  riders  bore  themselves,  was  a  marked  feature  of  the  cortege. 


119 

The  military  escort  was  performed  by  the  Salem  Cadets,  which 
turned  out  100  muskets,  and  never  appeared  on  a  better  occasion,  or 
with  more  credit  to  the  citizen  soldiery  of  Massachusetts. 

The  schools  had  some  1500  children  in  the  ranks,  and  the  procession 
altogether  numbered  about  5000,  and  was  one  of  tlie  most  truly  beau- 
tiful and  interesting  pageants  ever  beheld. 

The  procession,  afier  having  passed  the  locality  fixed  for  the  first 
welcome  speech,  countermarched,  and  again  reached  the  spot  about 
noon. 

The  Address  of  Greeting  was  delivered  by  Hon.  Alfred  A.  Abbott. 

To  this  Mr.  Peabody  replied,  in  a  response  full  of  deep  feeling. 
Before  Mr.  Peabody  commenced  his  responsive  address  a  Hymn  of 
Welcome  was  sung  by  a  choir  of  school  children. 

Mr.  Peabody  closed  his  address  amidst  loud  cheers.  The  procession 
again  re-formed  and  passed  to  the  dinner  tent,  which  occupied  a  field 
on  Washington  Street,  and  was  beautifully  decorated  with  flags  and 
streamers. 

Many  distinguished  gentlemen  are  present,  and  will  make  speeches 
at  the  dinner. 

There  will  be  a  levee  this  evening,  at  which  Mr.  Peabody  will  re- 
ceive the  congratulations  of  many  of  the  citizens. 

The  weather  has  been  delightful,  and  everything  passed  off"  with  un- 
expected perfection  and  success. 

The  festival  was  a  highly  agreeable  one  throughout,  and  closed  with 
an  invitation  to  the  company  to  meet  Mr.  Peabody  in  the  evening  at  the 
residences  of  President  Daniels  and  General  Sutton.  These  levees 
were  largely  attended  by  the  citizens,  and  formed  a  brilliant  and  hap- 
py conclusion  to  the  ceremonies  of  the  day. 

Altogether,  the  decorations  along  the  whole  route  of  some  four  miles 
were  of  the  most  pleasing  and  appropriate  character,  and  for  variety, 
beauty  and  profuseness  have  rarely  been  paralleled  on  any  festive  oc- 
casion in  this  country.  The  scene  must  have  awakened  emotions  of 
the  most  gratifying  nature  in  the  bosom  of  the  distinguished  guest  and 
benefactor  of  the  town. 


fFroni  the  Boston  Daily  Advertiser.] 
RECEPTION  OF  MR.  PEABODY. 

The  return  of  George  Peabody,  Esq.,  the  eminent  London  banker, 
after  an  absence  of  more  than  twenty  years,  to  his  native  town  of  Dan- 
vers,  enriched  a.  Cew  years  since  by  a  bounteous  benefaction  at  his 
hands, — an  event  of  no  ordinary  interest, — was  appropriately  cele- 
brated Thursday.  The  weather  was  favorable  ;  notwithstaniling  the 
lateness  of  the  season,  it  was  a  bright,  warm  day,  the  pure  atmosphere 
and  clear  skies  contributing  in  no  inconsiderable  degree  to  the  happi- 
ness of  the  occasion.  The  old  town  was  dressed  in  holiday  trim;  the 
inhabitants  were  awake  to  the  interest  and  importance  of  the  celebra- 
tion, and  their  faces  beamed  with  pleasure  as  they  prepared  for  the 
reception  of  their  honored  townsman. 


120 

It  should  be  remarked,  to  avoid  obscurity,  that  about  a  year  ago,  by 
an  act  of  the  legislature,  the  old  town  of  Danvers  was  divided,  the 
southerly  portion  being  set  off  and  incorporated  by  itself  under  the 
name  of  South  Danvers,  while  the  northerly  portion  retains  the  name 
of  Danvers.  Mr.  Peabody  very  properly  regarded  the  whole  of  the  old 
town  as  one,  and  received  and  accepted  the  joint  invitation  of  the 
two  towns  without  reference  to  ihe  separation  ;  he  was  first  "  received" 
in  Danvers  and  proceeded  to  South  Danvers,  where  the  piincipal  exer- 
cises of  the  day  took  place  ;  the  citizens  of  both  towns  participating  in 
all  the  exercises. 

Thus  ended  this  most  successful  celebration.  There  were  many 
features  in  it  of  especial  interest.  First  and  foremost,  was  its  charac- 
ter as  a  universal  and  spontaneous  tribute  of  honor  by  all  the  people  of 
the  town.  Again,  it  was  particularly  pleasant  to  see  the  school  chil- 
dren forming  so  important  a  part  in  the  pageant.  There  were  more 
than  a  thousand  of  them,  with  happy,  smiling  faces.  Thirty-one  girls 
were  dressed  in  a  beautiful  uniform  to  represent  the  several  States  of 
the  Union,  whose  arms  were  depicted  on  shields  which  they  bore. 
They  were  accompanied  by  three  young  ladies,  tastefully  dressed  to 
personate  England,  Ireland  and  Scotland.  The  international  feature 
of  the  celebration  w^as  a  remarkable  one — everywhere  were  the  flags 
of  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States  twined  together — in  one  place  a 
statue  of  Washington  was  displayed,  supported  on  either  side  by  Vic- 
toria and  Albert ;  and,  at  the  dinner,  when  Mr.  Peabody  alluded  to  the 
Queen,  three  cheers  for  her  were  proposed,  and  heartily  given  by  the 
company. 

Mr.  Peabody  appeared  in  good  health,  and  seemed  to  enjoy  the  day. 


[Reported  for  the  Boston  Atlas.] 
RECEPTION  OF  MR.  PEABODY. 

Brilliant  Ovation.  Decorations,  Procession,  and  Festival. — 
The  citizens  of  the  good  old  town  of  Danvers  turned  out  en  masse, 
Thursday,  to  receive  their  former  fellow-citizen,  now  the  distinguished 
London  banker,  wl)o,  by  his  public  benefactions  and  private  hospitality, 
lias  won  a  place  in  the  hearts  of  men  the  world  over. 

The  people  of  his  native  town,  appreciating  what  he  has  done  for 
them  and  coming  generations,  with  praiseworthy  gratitude  tendered  to 
Mr.  Peabody  an  ovation,  which,  on  the  one  hand,  was  merited,  and,  on 
the  other,  was  all  that  could  be  desired. 

Tt  was  thought  best  that  all  of  the  territory  comprised  in  the  ancient 
town  of  Danvers  should  have  part  in  the  proceedings  ;  and  each  town, 
therefore,  engaged  in  the  matter  with  great  energy.  The  decorations 
throughout  the  town,  especially  upon  the  route  of  the  procession,  were 
numerous  and  elegant. 


121 

[  Reported  for  flic  Boston  Courier.] 

The  reception  of  (^roKGE  FrAECDY,  E^q.,  by  liis  old  frierds  and 
ne-'gl  bois,  )(s:cH'ay,  wus  tin  1  ci.or  cf  \\]  icli  lie  foicmcst  nifui  in  lie 
republic  m!f:ht  be  j)iciid.  Tl  e  fei^lirg  of  coidialily  wjis  nniversal  ; 
and  Old  S;iU  m  sn<-j,ei,dcd  busir.rss  1o  uniie  wilb  Old  Diinvers  in  ibis 
ovation.  Tie  gc  cd  [  ecple  of  lie  surrour.dirg  villagts,  Ico,  left  lleir 
cnsU.mary  day  toil,  ai;d  l.urried  1o  do  reverence  to  a  benefactor;  and 
commercial  Bosicn  was  repicsen'cd  by  ntnibers  of  tie  most  solid  of 
her  solid  merchants,  and  the  municipal  government  by  Mayor  Rice. 
Ncwburyport,  and  Clarleslcvvn,  and  Eoxbuiy,  ard  Can. bridge, — in- 
deed, almost  every  considerable  ccmmunily  in  tie  Sla'e, —  weie  repre- 
senlcd  ;  aid  lie  Gcveinor  of  ile  Cc  mmoi  v\(ahh,  lie  Hen.  Edvard 
Everett,  the  wise  and  learned  Picsident  of  Harvard  College,  and  the 
British  Consul,  were  present. 

The  weather  was  charming — all  tlat  could  be  desired  for  an  out-door 
demonstration. 

The  school  children  attracted  universal  attention.  They  were  drcss-ed 
in  their  best  attire.  The  ladies  in  the  cavalcade  added  to  the  novelty 
and  variety  of  the  show  ;  and  the  firemen  made  an  imposing  appear- 
ance. Thirty-one  little  girls  in  white  represented  the  States  of  the 
Union  ;  and  Scotia,  Erin  and  England  were  appropriately  typified  in 
the  girls'  department.  Old  Time,  loo,  was  ])ersonated  by  a  youth  on 
horseback.  But  we  must  hurry  on  to  the  large  themes  of  t-he  day. 
The  procession  moved  through  the  principal  streets  to  the  Peabody 
Institute,  in  front  of  which  was  an  artificial  platform.  The  distin- 
guished guests  having  taken  seats  assigned  them,  the  school  children 
having  been  arranged  in  an  open  square  adjoining  the  Institute,  the 
military  and  other  bodies  formed  a  solid  mass  in  front  of  the  building. 

The  exercises  at  the  Institute  closed  with  singing  by  children  ;  and 
the  procession  was  re-formed,  and  marched  to  the  great  canvas. 

The  Dinner. — The  dinner  was  held  in  J.  B.  Smith's  large  pavilion, 
which  was  finely  decorated  for  the  occasion.  In  the  rear  of  the  Presi- 
dent's chair  was  a  large  stuffed  eagle,  around  which  were  the  ensigns 
of  the  nation.  Upon  one  of  the  masts  of  the  pavilion  was  another 
eagle,  holding  in  i's  beak  a  scroll,  with  the  inscription — "  England  my 
abiding  place;  America  my  home."  Sixleen  hundred  plates  were 
laid.  At  two  o'clock  the  dinner  party  entered  the  pavilion.  It  was  a 
brilliant  gathering.  A  large  proportion  of  those  present  were  ladies, 
whose  beauty  and  intelligence  gave  an  additional  charm  to  the  fes- 
tivities. 


[From  the  Boston  Traveller  of  Oct.  9.] 
WELCOME   OF   GEORGE   PEABODY,   ESQ. 

Great  Preparations  made  for  his  Reception.  Beautiful  Dec- 
orations, &c.,  &c. — Great  preparations  have  been  and  are  being 
made,  by  the  citizens  of  South  Danvers  and  Danvers,  to  welcome  back 
to  his  native  town  Mr.  George  Peabody  ;  and  it  will  undoubtedly  be  a 
great  day,  not  only  for  Danvers,  but  for  the  whole  of  old  Essex  County. 
The  citizens  appear  to  have  left  nothing  undone  which  would  serve  to 


122 

make  the  affair  pass  ofT  with  great  eclat  :  and  it  cannot  fail  to  be  such 
a  demonstration  of  the  respect  and  esteem  which  the  people  of  Danvers 
hold  towards  their  never-tiring  benefactor  as  will,  at  least,  in  a  great 
measure,  repay  Mr.  Peabody  for  all  his  many  contributions  and  dona- 
tions, which  have  so  prospered  the  home  of  his  youth. 

All  the  arrangements  of  the  Committee  have  been  perfected  ;  and  it 
is  now  pretty  certain  that  Mr.  Peabody  will  reach  Maple  Street  from 
Georgetown,  from  which  place  he  proceeds  in  his  own  carriage,  at 
about  nine  o'clock  this  morning.  There  he  will  be  received  by  the 
procession,  and  escorted  through  the  principal-  streets  to  the  Insthute. 

A  prominent  feature  of  the  procession  will  be  that  portion  of  it  which 
consists  of  the  pupils  of  the  different  schools  in  the  town,  who  will 
number,  it  is  expected,  about  fifteen  hundred.  They  are  all  to  be 
dressed  in  holiday  suits,  and  each  will  wear  a  beautiful  silk  badge, 
upon  which  is  a  portrait  of  Mr.  Peabody,  together  with  the  sentiment, 
"  Education,  the  debt  due  from  present  to  future  generations,"  which 
is  the  sentiment  enclosed  by  Mr.  Peabody  at  the  time  of  his  making  his 
recent  liberal  donation. 

****** 

The  enthusiasm  of  the  citizens  generally  is  great,  and  all,  old  and 
young,  are  equally  anxious  to  unite  in  paying  just  tribute  of  respect 
and  esteem  to  worth. 

At  this  early  moment,  of  course,  the  decorations  are  incomplete  ; 
but,  up  to  a  late  hour  last  evening,  the  work  of  arranging  flags  and 
streamers  was  carried  on,  and,  in  our  next  edition,  we  shall  be  able  to 
present  a  full  account  of  them.  It  would  be  unjust  to  the  enterprising, 
zealous,  and  worthy  citizens,  should  we  give  the  sketch  from  the  pres- 
ent state  of  the  work. 

The  interior  of  the  main  hall  of  the  Institute  is  without  further  orna- 
ment than  a  very  beautiful  and  life-like  full-length  picture  of  Mr.  Pea- 
body, encased  in  a  carved  gilt  frame,  of  the  most  exquisite  workman- 
ship. The  painting  is  a  work  of  art,  and  the  ornamentation  of  the 
frame  delicate  and  tasteful.  This  picture  Mr.  Peabody  consented  to 
have  taken  in  accordance  witli  the  wishes  of  his  fellow-citizens,  as 
expressed  by  a  special  vote  of  the  town.  It  was  deemed  best,  by  the 
Committee  having  charge  of  the  matter,  to  allow  the  hall  to  be  un- 
adorned, that  the  distinguished  donor  might  the  better  perceive  with 
what  fidelity  the  Trustees  of  the  Institute  have  carried  his  noble  pur- 
poses into  effect.  The  exterior  of  the  beautiful  edifice  is  decorated 
with  flags  and  streamers  in  profusion,  but  all  gracefully  arranged,  with 
the  highest  point  of  the  roof  for  an  apex.  Streamers  fall  so  plenti- 
fully, yet  so  tastefully,  that  the  display  rivals  in  attractiveness  that  at 
any  other  point.  Above  the  street,  on  a  line  extending  from  the  Insti- 
tute building,  is  arranged  a  beautillil  canopy  of  flags  and  streamers. 
This  canopy,  which  is  elaborate  and  tasteful  in  the  highest  degree,  is 
immediately  above  the  main  entrance  to  the  Institute.  There  is  a 
neatness  about  the  whole  affair,  which  cannot  fail  to  elicit  general  com- 
mendation, and  certainly  reflects  credit  on  the  taste  of  the  decorators. 


123 

[From  the  Boston  Traveller  of  Oct.  10.] 

The  peoi)le  of  Danvers  and  South  Danvers  turned  out  en  masse  yes- 
terday, to  greet  their  long-absent  son,  George  Peabody,  Esq.,  of  Lon- 
don. The  day  was  one  of  the  most  delightful  of  the  season,  and  the 
demonstration  passed  off  in  such  a  manner  as  will  leave  the  remem- 
brance of  the  day  long  in  the  recollection  of  all  who  participated  in  it. 

At  an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  the  streets  began  to  be  crowded, 
and  by  the  time  the  procession  reached  South  Danvers,  every  princi- 
pal street  was  completely  blocked  by  the  crowd.  The  unbounded 
hospitality  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Danvers  was  put  to  a 
severe  test ;  but  yet,  at  every  residence,  the  '•'  latch-string  "  appeared 
to  be  out;  and  the  recollection,  by  all  the  citizens  from  abroad,  of  the 
"  Peabody  Reception,"  will   always  be   united  with  pleasant  memories 

of  unceasing  attentions  paid  to  them. 

****** 

On  arriving  at  tlie  South  Danvers  line,  at  the  home  of  Bowditch, 
this  procession  was  met  by  the  escort,  under  Major-General  Sutton, 
consisting  of  the  Independent  Corps  of  Cadets,  with  Gilmore's  Salem 
Brass  Band  ;  the  various  fire-engine  companies  of  Danvers,  with  their 
engines  beautifully  decorated  with  evergreens,  flowers,  &c. ;  and  the 
scholars  of  the  different  schools  of  the  town,  beautifully  dressed  in 
holiday  suits,  bearing  beautiful'banners  with  suitable  inscriptions  refer- 
ring to  Mr.  Peabody,  such  as  "  Honor  to  the  Pacificator  of  Nations," 
"  Welcome,"  "  Honor  to  our  Benefactor,"  etc. 

This  feature  of  the  })rocession  was  decidedly  the  most  attractive  por- 
tion of  it.  A  more  beautiful  array  of  children  we  never  saw.  There 
were  between  twelve  and  fifteen  hundred  in  number,  and  all  were 
tastefully  dressed  in  various  holiday  garbs  made  for  the  occasion. 
Some  marched  in  the  procession,  while  the  smaller  ones  were  con- 
veyed in  carriages  beautifully  decked  with  flowers,  evergreens,  &c. 
Particularly  noticeable  among  them  were  three  beautiful  young  misses 
dressed  to  represent  three  different  nations,  and  who  attracted  universal 
attention. 

After  the  schools  came  the  invited  guests,  citizens,  &c. 

On  arriving  at  the  residence  of  Miles  Osborn,  Esq.,  an  old  school- 
mate of  Mr.  Peabody,  the  procession  stopped,  and  Mr.  Peabody,  ac- 
companied by  Mr.  Daniels  and  others,  entered  the  house  where  were 
several  of  his  old  friends  ready  to  welcome  him.  As  Mr.  Peabody 
greeted  Mr.  Osborn  he  exclaimed:  "  Ah,  I  see  you  look  as  smiling 
and  jovial  as  of  old,  when  we  went  to  school  together." 

Here  Mr.  Peabody  found  many  of  his  old  friends,  both  ladies  and 
gentlemen,  and  he  greeted  them  most  cordially.  After  partaking  of 
some  refreshments,  he  again  entered  his  barouche  and  tlie  procession 
proceeded  on  its  wa^ . 

The  entire  route  was  thronged,  and  there  could  have  been  not  less 
than  20,000  people  in  Danvers  yesterday.  The  procession  was  about 
a  mile  in  length,  and  probably  numbered  in  the  vicinity  of  4,000. 


124 

[From  the  Boston  Journal.] 
RECEPTION  OF  MR.  PEABODY  AT  DANVERS. 

Danvers,  Thursday,  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 

The  morning  opened  propitiously,  and  the  town  of  Danvers  was 
early  alive  with  its  citizens  and  with  strangers.  Marshals,  comrnitlees 
and  firemen  are  seen  in  all  the  streets.  The  cavalcade  is  forming  to 
meet  Mr.  Pcabody,  who  is  soon  to  arrive  from  Georgetown.  He  is  to 
be  received  here  in  Danvers  by  the  portion  of  the  committee  residing 
here,  and  is  to  be  escorted  by  the  cavalcade  to  South  Danvers.  Both 
towns,  Danvers  and  South  Danvers,  are  equally  engaged  in  honoring 
the  guest  of  the  occasion.  Mr.  Peabody  regards  with  equal  favor  both 
of  them,  and  would  not  accept  a  welcome  from  one  only.  He  recog- 
nizes no  division  of  the  old  township. 

Where  they  are  to  receive  him,  the  sign  of  the  railroad  crossing  is 
hung  with  flags  and  streamers.  Flags  adorn  the  spire  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Fletcher's  church,  and  the  trees  in  the  immediate  vicinity.  On  the 
new  school  building  near  the  church  is  the  motto,  "  Free  Schools  are 
the  Nation's  Strength."  Opposite  the  school-house,  Fred.  Perley's 
store  is  adorned  with  pine  boughs  and  with  evergreens,  with  wreaths 
and  flowers,  and  with  the  motto,  "  Danvers  Welcomes  her  Noble  Son." 
Just  below,  Gould's  shoe  store  is  ornamented  in  a  similar  way,  and  has 
beneath  the  flags — "  Thy  Native  Land." 

But  the  grandest  display  of  the  whole  town  is  seen  in  the  great  arch 
near  the  Village  Bank.  The  main  arch  is  forty  feet  high  and  forty 
wide.  On  both  sides  are  side  arches,  twenty  feet  wide  and  twenty 
high.  Six  large  American  flags  float  above  the  large  arch,  and  on  its 
very  summit  sits  a  large  gilded  eagle  with  spread  wings.  Across  the 
arch  in  great  letters  is  the  word  "  Welcome."  From  the  top  of  the 
arch  hang  six  beautiful  wreaths,  with  various  inscriptions.  The  two 
central  ones  are  red,  and  have — "  He  hath  honored  us  Abroad,  and  we 
honor  him  at  Home."  On  one  side  of  these,  in  the  center  of  another 
blue  wreath,  is  a  large  gilt  letter  G.  On  the  other  side,  in  a  fourth 
wreath  of  blue,  is  the  letter  P.  The  remaining  wreaths  are  white,  and 
set  with  beautiful  flowers.  This  splendid  arch  is  covered  with  green 
boughs  and  evergreens,  and  is  hung  with  red,  white  and  blue  stream- 
ers. A  more  magnificent  arch  has  never  been  seen  in  the  coimtry, 
and  it  is  the  finest  decoration  on  the  route.  Beneath  this  he  will  pass 
on  his  way  to  South  Danvers.  Just  below  this  monument  of  the  gen- 
erosity and  enterprise  of  the  citizens  of  Danvers,  the  village  square 
presents  a  most  dazzling  appearance.  Here  the  Bank  and  the  stores 
and  dwellings  ore  all  decorated  with  wreaths  of  gorgeous  flowers  and 
beautiful  festoons.  Across  the  square  are  ropes  attached  to  the  four 
corners,  upon  which  are  suspended  the  flags  of  all  nations,  representa- 
tive of  that  peace  and  amity  which  Mr.  Peabody  would  establish 
among  them. 


125 

[From  the  Salem  Gazette  of  October  10,  1856.] 
THE  PEABODY  llECEPTION,  IN  DANVERS,  YESTERDAY. 

The  almost  entire  community  of  interests,  feelings,  and  relationships, 
between  large  portions  of  Old  Danvcrs  and  Salem,  authorizes  us  to 
devote  much  of  our  space  to  the  concerns  of  the  former  place  ;  and  we 
have  accordingly  appropriaied  every  spare  inch  of  our  columns,  this 
morning,  to  the  details  of  the  Reception  of  George  Peabody,  Esq.,  on 
his  return  to  his  native  town,  after  an  absence  of  tw^enty  years.  The 
occasion  is  one  highly  honorable  to  the  good  taste  and  public  spirit  of 
the  citizens,  offering  a  most  appropriate  tribute  of  respect,  regard,  and 
gratitude,  to  the  Benefactor  of  their  community — one  of  those  rare  and 
happily  constituted  persons,  who  are  not  made  hard  and  arrogant  by 
prosperity ;  but  whose  generosity,  benevolence,  and  humanity  in- 
crease and  spread  abroad  with  their  increasing  means. 

Our  readers  are  all  acquainted  with  the  history  of  Mr.  Peabody's 
munificent  donations,  amounting  to  forty-five  thousand  dollars,  for  the 
establishment  of  the  Institute  to  which  his  name  has  been  most  appro- 
priately attached.  In  view  of  this  crowning  benefaction  of  a  long 
course  of  minor  benefits  and  private  remembrances,  the  citizens  of 
Danvers  determined  to  give  a  public  expression  to  their  feelings  on  the 
return  of  Mr.  Peabody,  from  his  long  sojourn,  as  a  banker,  in  London, 
where  he  has  held  a  position  of  power  and  influence,  such  as,  we  be- 
lieve, has  been  accorded  to  no  other  commercial  man  in  that  great 
metropolis.  The  services  of  yesterday  are  the  result  of  this  deter- 
mination. 

The  weather  and  all  attending  circumstances  were  in  the  highest 
degree  propitious.  The  most  lovely  of  Indian  Summer  days  gave 
beauty  and  pleasure  to  the  occasion.  The  whole  population  of  the 
Old  Town  joined  wilh  heart  and  hand  in  the  good  work,  and  the  result 
was  such  as  has  been  rarely  equalled  in  any  community  ;  and  never 
can  be  in  a  great  city,  however  much  c.vpense  may  be  incurred  in 
rivalling  the  heartwork  of  a  homogeneous,  spirited,  prosperous,  and 
grateful  people. 

[From  the  Salem  Register.] 
THE  PEABODY  OVATION  IN  DANVERS. 

The  return  of  George  Peabody  to  his  native  town,  which  he  has 
blessed  so  abundantly  by  his  noble  benefactions,  was  celebrated  on 
Thursday  last,  in  a  manner  which  made  it  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
events  of  the  age.  The  whole  people  came  out  to  do  honor  to  a  privcite 
citizen,  and  paid  a  tribute  to  simple  manly  worth,  which  the  greatest  of 
sovereigns  and  conquerors  might  envy.  The  day  was  one  of  the 
brightest  and  most  genial  of  that  loveliest  of  seasons  designated  as  the 
Indian  Summer,  and  the  old  town  of  Danvers  (we  recognize  here  none 
of  the  recent  legislative  distinctions)  never  wore  a  gayer  or  more 
charming  aspect.  From  20,000  to  30,000  persons,  strangers  and  citi- 
zens, thronged  the  streets  to  witness  the  pageant,  which,  from  first  to 
last,  was  a  splendid  success.     We  have  devoted  nearly  our  whole  pa- 


126 

per  to  the  addresses  delivered  on  the  occasion,  at  the  formal  Reception 
and  at  the  Banquet,  and  therefore  have  little  space  to  bestow  upon 
other  great  features  of  the  occasion,  which  it  is  impossible  for  us  to 
notice  in  detail. 

The  Decorations,  in  particular,  we  regret  to  be  obliged  to  slight ;  for, 
along  the  whole  route  of  the  procession,  the  public  and  private  build- 
ings and  streets  were  ornamented  with  a  profusion,  elegance  and  uni- 
versal good  taste,  such  as  we  have  never  seen  surpassed. 

Mr.  Peabody  reached  the  Plains,  from  (Georgetown,  at  about  half- 
past  9  o'clock.  Here  he  was  met  by  a  Committee,  and  greeted  with  a 
salute  of  artillery,  a  hundred  rounds  being  fired.  From  this  point  he 
was  escorted  by  a  brilliant  cavalcade  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  number- 
ing about  340,  the  cortege  being  followed  by  257  well  filled  vehicles — 
a  very  unusual  collection  for  this  section  of  the  country — to  the  head 
of  Central  Street,  where  the  main  procession,  marshalled  by  Maj.  Gen. 
Sutton,  was  in  waiting  to  receive  him. 

The  Divisionary  Corps  of  Cadets,  forming  the  Escoi-t,  having  paid 
him  a  military  salute,  and  Gilmore's  unsurpassed  Brass  Band  played 
appropriate  airs,  the  procession  took  up  its  line  of  march.  The  Cadets 
turned  out,  on  this  occasion,  116  strong,  (including  their  twelve  offi- 
cers,) and,  with  Gilmore's  Bund,  made  a  very  splendid  appearance. 
The  escort  duty,  throughout,  was  perforniiid  in  the  most  admirable 
style,  and  the  Cadets  acquitted  themselves  in  a  manner  which  con- 
ferred credit,  not  only  upon  their  Commander,  Samuel  B.  Foster,  Esq., 
who  has  no  superior  as  a  skilful  and  accomplished  tactician,  but  upon 
the  Militia  of  the  Commonwealth,  of  which  they  are  a  distinguished 
ornament. 

At^ler  the  Cadets  came  the  Firemen,  with  their  elegantly  decorated 
machines,  and  numbering  about  600  men,  besides  a  smart  little  Juve- 
nile corps  from  Salem.  The  several  companies  were  neatly  uniformed 
and  appeared  finely.  They  were  accompanied  by  the  Boston  Brass 
Band,  and  there  were  besides,  in  the  procession,  the  Boston  Brigade, 
the  Salem  Bay  State,  Bond's  Cornet  Band,  the  last  mounted,  and  the 
Beverly  Brass  Band.  Next  came  an  elegant  barouche,  drawn  by  six 
beautiful  black  horses,  and  containing  Mr.  Peabody,  with  the  President 
of  the  Day,  and  others.  This  was  followed  by  a  barouche  containing 
Governor  Gardner  and  his  Aids — the  latter  in  uniform — and  by  car- 
riages with  invited  guests. 

Next  came  the  great  feature  of  the  procession,  the  children  of  the 
schools,  of  whom  there  could  have  been  no  less  than  1500;  and  a 
lovelier  sight  is  seldom  seen.  Of  their  banners  and  decorations  we 
cannot  speak  in  detail  ;  but  among  those  who  attracted  great  admira- 
tion were  31  young  ladies  of  the  Peabody  High  School,  robed  in  white, 
with  scarfs  of  the  star-spangled  banner,  representing  the  various  States 
of  the  Union,  and  bearing  shields  with  the  respective  arms  painted 
thereon.  Among  them  marched  three  young  ladies,  so  arrayed  as  to 
represent  England,  Ireland  and  Scotland.  The  effect  was  very  beau- 
tiful. There  were  several  other  schools  elegantly  attired,  and  dis- 
playing tasteful   devices,   which  did   not  escape   the  observation  and 


127 


applause  of  tlie  muliitude,  notwithstanding  we  are  obliged  to  neglect 
them  here.* 

The  Addresses  at  the  formal  reception,  on  the  platform  in  front  of 
the  Institute,  will  be  found  on  our  first  page.     The  song, 

"  Home  again,  home  again,  from  a  foreign  shgre," 

wliich  was  so  touchingiy  sung  here,  just  before  Mr.  Peabody's  response, 
and  which  produced  so  marked  an  effect,  was  performed  by  the  pupils 
of  the  Molten  High  School. 

After  the  services  here  the  Dinner  took  |)lace,  of  which  we  have 
given  a  very  full  account. 

In  the  evening  there  was  a  public  Soiree  at  the  Institute,  and  large 
social  parties  at  the  residences  of  Hon.  R.  S.  Daniels  and  Maj.  Gen. 
Sutton,  attended  by  Mr.  Peabody,  the  Governor,  and  other  distinguished 
personages. 

Never  was  a  celebration  more  happily  arranged,  or  more  thoroughly 
successful. 

Mr.  Peabody  left  Danvers  on  Friday  afternoon,  but  we  learn  that  he 
will  return  to  this  s(;ction  of  the  country  to  pass  the  Thanksgiving 
holidays. 


The  following  article  is  from  a  correspondent  of  the  Salem  Register, 
and  is  understood  to  be  from  the  pen  of  Hon.  Asahcl  Huntington : — 

[For  the  Register.] 

MR.  PEABODY'S  RECEPTION  IN  DANVERS,  AND  AT  THE  PLOUGH- 
ING MATCH  IN  NEWBURYPORT. 

Messks.  Editors  : — 

I  had  the  pleasure  and  the  honor  to  be  present  at  the  grand  and  no- 
ble reception,  by  our  neighbors  of  Danvers,  of  their  distinguished  son 
and  guest.  And  they  have  done  themselves  the  highest  honor  in  ren- 
dering such  a  tribute  to  such  a  man.  In  all  this  great  demonstration  of 
respect  and  gratitude,  everything  was  conceived  in  the  best  taste,  and 
carried  out  with  a  liberal  and  generous  hand.  Commend  me  to  the 
old  town  of  Danvers  (I  wish  it  were  still  one  town,)  for  its  style,  man- 
ner and  appointments,  in  getting  up,  sustaining  and  perfecting  a  real, 
hearty  and  genuine  public  celebration.  They  have  done  all  these 
things  most  admirably  from  the  start.  I  have  been  through  all  the 
degrees,  and  know  all  about  it ;  and  there  ought  to  be  as  many  de- 
grees, for  the  purpose-of  honoring  such  ^  friend  of  his  race  and  gener- 
ation, and  of  the  "future  generations,"  as  Mr.  Peabody,  by  his  life 
and  deeds,  has  proved  himself  to  be,  as  there  are  in  the  ancient  orders 


*  During  the  progress  of  tlie  Procession  down  Central  Street  two  b.alloons,  made 
of  tissue  paper,  were;  sent  up  from  the  s(]uarc.  They  W(!rc  of  large,  size,  for  the  ma- 
terial of  which  they  were  made,  l)eing  aiiout  ten  feet  in  diameti'i-,  and  to  each  was 
attaeiied  a  oar,  about  two  feet  in  diameter,  from  whirli  waved  flags  of  hhie,  white 
and  red.  Tiiey  rose  majestically,  and  attracted  much  attention  as  tiicy  floated 
away  in  a  northwesterly  direction.  These  balloons  were  made  and  sent  up  by  Mr. 
Lauriston  Stilus. 


128 

of  Masonry.  I  was  present  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the 
te  Tiplc,  which  ho  has  erected  for  the  "  future  generations,"  as  well  as 
fov  the  present.  That  was  a  work  of  actual  masonry,  and  well  was  it 
done  by  that  othvor  noble  benefactor  of  his  race,  the  late  Abbott  Law- 
rence— a  name  ever  to  be  remembered  and  held  in  the  highest  honor 
and  respect  in  this  Commonwealth.  That  occasion,  signal  and  felici- 
tous in  all  its  arrangements  and  appointments,  marked  well  the  start- 
ing point,  and  the  foundations  were  found  to  be  well  and  securely  laid. 
Next  came  the  dedication  and  inauguration  of  the  finished  temple  ;  and 
here,  again,  everything  was  done  in  the  most  felicitous  manner,  and 
another  son  of  Danvers — an  early  and  adopted  son — honored  this  oc- 
casion with  his  presence,  and  adorned  it  with  all  the  graces  of  the 
richest  eloquence,  and  started  the  "  Institute"  on  its  high  career  of 
usefulness. 

And  last  comes  the  third  degree,  (and  this  I  believe  is  the  degree  of 
Master  Mason,)  the  great  and  grand  reception  of  the  Man  himself;  and 
here  all  the  men,  women  and  children  of  old  Danvers  rise  up,  as  one 
man,  to  do  honor  to  their  friend  and  benefactor;  and  all  the  people 
round  about,  from  all  parts  of  the  County,  as  well-as  from  distant  places, 
come  in  and  join  in  the  loud  acclaim.  All  see  with  one  eye,  hear  with 
one  ear,  and  speak  with  one  voice — a  language  and  a  speech  which 
need  no  interpreter.  It  was  a  most  hearty  reception  by  these  vast 
multitudes ;  and  all  the  proceedings  were  in  good  keeping  with  such 
an  occasion  and  such  a  purpose.  The  great  and  beautiful  procession, 
arranged  in  all  its  parts  with  eminent  good  taste,  adorned  by  the  chil- 
dren of  the  town — by  far  the  most  engrossing  spectacle  of  the  day  ;  the 
reception  speech,  appropriate  and  graceful,  as  we  all  had  a  right  to 
expect  from  such  a  source  ;  the  dinner,  got  up  with  the  greatest  profu- 
sion of  all  good  things,  and  the  tables  set  off  by  all  manner  of  beautiful 
flowers  ;  the  excellent  opening  address  from  the  President  of  the  day, 
followed  by  the  well  conceived  and  well  received  speech  of  the  Gov- 
ernor ;  the  jewels  and  brilliants  of  the  great  A'merican  orator,  the  great 
orator  of  his  age,  whom  no  man  can  approach  ;  the  Greek  Professor, 
who  speaks  always  the  best  English,  in  all  its  styles  and  moods;  our 
venerable  and  distinguished  townsman.  Judge  White  ;  and  other  gen- 
tlemen who  favored  the  great  tent  with  graceful  and  appropriate  re- 
marks— all  these  festivities  were  crowned  with  levees  and  receptions  in 
many  of  the  private  dwellings  in  the  evening;  and  hospitalit}^,  open, 
generous  and  profuse,  everywhere  ruled  the  day  and  the  night.  Old 
Danvers  put  on  her  best  robes,  and  most  gracefully  did  she  wear 
them.  VVell  may  old  Salem  be  proud  of  such  a  daughter,  and  such  a 
GRAND  son.     All  her  people  were  there  to  greet  him ! 

This  was  truly  a  great  reception  ;  but  it  was  my  good  fortune  to 
witness  another  reception  of  Mr.  Peabody  by  the  farmers  of  his  native 
County,  at  Newburyport,  just  one  week  before,  on  a  beautiful  October 
day,  a  twin-sister  of  yesterday.  All  the  arrangements  of  the  Farmer's 
Festival  had  been  made  and  published,  with  great  precision  as  to  time, 
in  the  order  of  the  different  parts  and  stages  of  the  exhibition.  The 
ploughing  match,  in  a  large  field  in  the  upper  part  of  the  city,  had  been 
arranged  to  commence  precisely  at  nine  o'clock,  and  thither  the  multi- 


129 

tudes  had  wended  their  way,  to  be  in  season  for  this  always  invitinfr 
spectacle.  I  arrived  late  upon  the  ground  to  witness,  as  I  supposed, 
the  very  close  of  this  contest  of  oxen  and  ploughs,  I  found  there  an 
unusjLially  large  representation  of  the  farmers  of  Essex,  and  of  the  bone 
and  sinew  of  the  County ;  and,  to  my  surprise,  all  the  teams,  some 
thirty  in  number,  were  standing  at  their  respective  stations,  with  the 
plough  in  the  furrow,  the  drivers  by  with  whip  in  hand,  ready  to  com- 
mence the  contest  at  a  moment's  notice.  I  inquired  the  cause  of  the 
delay,  and  was  informed  they  were  waiting  for  Mr.  Peabody,  and  that 
orders  had  been  given,  by  the  President  of  the  Society,  that  no  sod 
should  be  turned  until  his  arrival.  He  had  not  agreed  to  be  there,  and 
no  fault  was  attributable  to  him  on  account  of  this  delay.  Thousands 
of  working  men  waited  there  nearly  two  hours,  and  they  waited  wil- 
lingly and  with  good  humor,  and  all  appeared  to  wish  that  Mr.  Pea- 
body  should  have  an  opportunity  to  see  that  there  was  a  fair  beginning 
in  the  trial  of  strength,  and  speed,  and  good  workmanship.  I  passed 
around  among  the  crowd,  and  examined  those  noble  and  patient  ani- 
mals, all  ready  for  the  long  pull  and  the  strong  pull.  The  people  were 
jocose  and  good  humored  all  the  while.  Some  said  they  guessed  Mr. 
Peabody  did  not  get  up  early  in  the  morning;  others  surmised  that  he 
might  have  adopted  the  English  practice  of  not  getting  up  at  all,  and 
not  going  to  bed,  as  that  people  always  appear  to  do  their  great  work 
in  the  night,  when  honest  people  are  usually  in  bed  ;  others  suggested 
that  the  people  might  have  waylaid  him ;  all  blessed  him,  all  spoke  his 
praises,  some  in  one  form  and  some  in  another.  One  said  he  was 
looking  after  other  people's  children,  and  he  only  wished  he  had  a 
thousand  of  his  own  ;  and  another  said,  all  the  children  were  his  chil- 
dren. Such  were  the  forms  and  modes  of  speech  of  the  farmers  of 
Essex.  They  all  regarded  Mr.  Peabody  as  a  great  benefactor  of  his 
race  and  kind,  and  they  all  desired  to  do  him  honor ;  and  when  at  last 
he  arrived,  and  his  genial  and  open  face  smiled  on  those  multitudes, 
they  all  felt  fully  recompensed  for  the  delay  ;  and  gladly  did  they  put 
the  regal  ox  upon  his  work,  and  turn  the  furrow  as  beautifully  and 
smoothly  as  the  lady  lays  over  the  plait  of  her  delicate  ruffle. 

The  whole  scene  was  a  striking  one.  I  considered  it  then,  and  con- 
sider it  now,  even  after  the  ovations  of  yesterday,  as  a  great  reception. 
Those  waiting  multitudes  evidently  cherished  a  great  respect  for  the 
MAN.  It  was  not  for  his  wealth.  Our  people  do  not  pay  great  homage 
to  mere  money.  It  was  because  he  has  proved  himself  to  be  a  great 
and  true  friend  of  man.     This  was  his  title  to  their  regard  and  respect. 

Such  exhibitions  as  these  furnish  a  lesson  of  instruction  and  encour- 
agement which  I  hope  will  be  heeded,  and  bring  forth  good  fruits  in 
other  soils,  by  such  kinds  and  modes  of  husbandry  as  those  which  have 
been  so  nobly  illustrated  by  Mr.  George  Peabody,  of  London,  but  still 
a  full,  genuine  and  true  American  in  all  his  sympathies  and  feelings. 

October  10,  1856.  H. 


130 

[From  tlic  New  York  Times.] 

The  New  York  Times  of  October  23,  has  an  article  entitled  "  The 
New  England  Boy,"  in  which,  after  speaking  of  the  grand  coronation 
of  the  new  Czar  at  Moscow,  it  adds  : — 

From  the  monstrous  freaks  in  the  despotic  far  East,  let  us  turn  to  a 
small  village  in  the  Republican  West,  where,  in  the  same  files  that  tell 
of  the  barbaric  monstrosities  at  Moscow,  is  given  the  story  of  another 
fete — the  village  of  Danvers  in  New  England.  There,  too,  were  re- 
joicings, decorations,  civil  and  military  processions,  gatherings  of 
statesmen,  scholars  and  divines,  streets  strewn  with  beauteous  flowers, 
and  still  more  beauteously  decorated  with  beauteous  women,  proudly 
floating  flags,  inscriptions  and  mottoes  instinct  with  meaning  and  re- 
plete with  grace,  thousands  of  lovely  children  to  crown  the  day  with 
the  sweetness  and  charm  of  unsophisticated  youth,  three  hundred  ladies 
and  gentlemen  forming  a  cavalcade  on  horseback,  fine  arches  with  pine 
trees  adorned  with  tablets  of  evergreen.  There,  too,  were  firing  of 
cannon,  and  clinking  of  sabres,  and  neighing  of  horses,  and  beating  of 
drums,  and  frenzy,  and  enthusiasm,  and  huzzas  that  rent  the  air. 
What  strange  things  have  come  to  pass  to  wake  this  tumult  in  a  quiet 
village's  veins  .^  What  Czar  or  Emperor  has  dropped  on  neat,  naive, 
little  Danvers  to  bewilder  the  innocent  natives  on  their  return  from  the 
meeting-house  ?  None.  The  object  of  this  demonstration  was  neither 
a  Czar  nor  an  Emperor,  nor  even  a  Lord  nor  a  General,  a  great  novel- 
ist nor  great  divine.  Nothing  but  an  humble  New  Englander,  who 
having,  by  integrity,  industry  and  goodness  of  heart,  attained  a  high 
position  in  the  financial  and  social  world,  returns  to  his  native  village, 
after  forty  years  of  absence,  and  that  village,  with  joy  and  pride,  comes 
out  to  meet  George  Peabody,  and  give  him  honor  for  his  useful  and 
spotless  life.  Now  this  is  beautiful.  Such  a  reception  is  an  everlast- 
ing monument  to  industry,  when  coupled  with  humanity;  to  activity  of 
mind,  when  in  unison  with  benevolence  of  heart ;  to  a  money-maker, 
who  uses  his  money  not  only  for  himself  but  for  noble  humanitarian 
objects,  such  as  Mr.  Peabody  has  done.  Honor  where  honor  is  due  ; 
and  in  the  present  agitated  state  of  the  country,  we  find  relief  in  rest- 
ing on  this  little  New  England  village,  so  nobly  and  grandly  acknowl- 
edging the  merits  of  one  of  her  sons.  We  cannot  help  thinking  that 
the  morale  of  this  incident  is  somewhat  thrown  into  the  background  by 
the  political  excitement  of  the  hour.  Yet,  when  this  excitement  shall 
have  passed  away,  this  charming  demonstration  at  Danvers  will  be 
kept  in  mind,  and  stand  out  as  one  of  the  most  lofty  pageants  ever 
recorded  in  republican  history. 

We  do  not  desire  to  write  a  panegyric  on  George  Peabody,  but  we 
do  on  the  principle  which,  in  his  person,  does  honor  to  the  man  who 
uses  generously  and  usefully  the  goods  which  God  has  given  him. 
Whether  the  man  happens  to  be  a  business  or  a  literary  man,  a  states- 
man or  a  lawyer,  a  divine  or  a  mechanic,  is  altogether  a  secondary 
question.  But,  from  the  fact  that  the  great  money-holders  of  Europe 
have  done  so  little  out  of  their  immediate  family  circles  to  use  their 
wealth  for  humanitarian  interests,  we  are  disposed,  perhaps,  to  over- 


131 

admire  a  generous  business-man,  not  because  what  he  has  done  is  so 
much,  but  because  others  do  so  little.  The  giant-selfishness  of  the 
Rothschilds  of  Europe  makes  a  giant  of  benevolence  of  the  Peabody 
of  America,  Yet,  however  this  may  be,  too  much  honor  cannot  bo 
accorded  to  such  a  man  as  George  Peabody. 

Perchance  there  may  be  a  little  extravagance  blended  with  these 
-  honors,  but  it  is  extravagance  in  the  right  direction.  We  hear  com- 
plaints occasionally  that  business-men  occupy  too  prominent  a  position, 
and  that  this  is  too  much  of  a  mercantile  age.  But  the  fact  is,  we  have 
outlived  the  time  when  poets  and  book-worms  and  politicians  were 
worshi[)pcd.  The  tendency  of  the  age  is  to  respect  those  only  who 
embody  their  words  and  thoughts  in  deeds.  Only  such  poets  and 
scholars  and  politicians,  as  write  and  think  and  speak  with  such  in- 
tensity, profundity  and  vitality,  as  to  make  their  works  and  thoughts 
and  speeches  tantamount  to  deeds,  are  likely  to  extort  the  reluctant 
sympathy  of  the  age.  We  say  reluctant,  because,  with  Shakspearb 
and  Bacon  before  us,  we  have  become  naturally  suspicious  of  would-be 
heroes  of  pen  and  ink,  who  are  too  often  but  dreary  rehashers  of  oth- 
ers' meat.  We  require  action,  and  until  the  present  woes  of  humanity 
fertilize  the  brains  of  some  new  Shakspeare  or  Bacon,  we  are  apt  to 
over-estimate  the  doings  of  business-men  which  result  in  action.  Thus 
we  see  the  Young  American  rush  into  business,  where  he  may  become 
a  creator  of  wealth,  which  is  power,  and  if  his  heart  is  trained  simulta- 
neously with  his  head,  a  humanitarian  power.  In  this  point  of  view 
such  a  demonstration  as  that  offered  to  Mr.  Peabody  is  full  of  moral 
meaning. 

The  Lawrences  and  Peabodys  remind  us  forcibly  of  the  great 
Florentine  merchants,  the  Medici.  Under  their  rule,  art  and  science 
and  literature  flourished;  the  merchants  in  those  days  used  their  wealth 
for  the  benefit  of  knowledge,  and  the  names  of  Raphael  and  Angelo 
still  live  to  commemorate  their  memory,  as  will  many  valuable  institu- 
tions with  us  to  make  abiding  the  name  of  George  Peabody. 


[From  the  American  Journal  of  Education,  published  at  Hartford,  Conn.] 

THE  PUBLIC  RECEPTION  OF  GEORGE  PEABODY,  AT  DANVERS. 

We  are  not  very  fond  of  fetes  of  any  kind,  or  ovations  to  the  living 
for  any  degree  of  merit,  but  we  were  gratified  beyond  any  former  ex- 
perience in  the  Public  Reception  given  to  George  Peabody  of  London, 
by  the  people  of  Danvers  and  South  Danvers,  Mass.,  in  pursuance  of  a 
unanimous  vote  of  the  two  towns,  in  the  grateful  acknowledgment  of 
of  his  many  acts  of  liberality  and  public  spirit,  and  especially  for  his 
establishment  and  endowment  of  the  Institute  for  the  promotion  of 
knowledge  and  morality,  and  for  the  institution  of  Prizes  for  the  en- 
couragement of  scholarship  and  good  behavior  in  the  pupils  of  the 
Public  High  Schools.  It  was  a  spontaneous  and  hcarly  tribute  of  re- 
spect and  gratitude  by  men  and  women,  by  old  and  young,  by  persons 
of  both  sexes,  and  every  employment,  to  one,  who  had  gone  out  from 
among  them — with  only  that  culture  which  an  ordinary  district  school. 


132 

such  as  the  ordinary  district  school  was  fifty  years  ago,  could  give  to  a 
boy,  in  attendance  only  for  a  few  months"  in  each  year,  and  for  only 
three  or  four  years  of  his  life — and  with  only  that  capital  which  is 
represented  by  native  sagacity,  integrity,  and  a  resolute  will — and  yet 
by  that  sagacity,  integrity  and  perseverance  achieving  a  position  in  the 
commercial  world  second  to  no  other  individual  or  house  in  the  great 
center  of  business — and  yet  everywhere — on  either  side  of  the  Atlantic, 
in  his  days  of  poverty  and  of  affluence — preserving  a  republican  sim- 
plicity of  character,  dress,  manner,  a  tender  filial  attachment  to  the 
hearth-stone  and  friends  of  his  youth,  and  at  all  times  and  everywhere 
using  a  portion  of  his  eai'nings  to  advance  purposes  of  patriotism,  hos- 
pitality,  humanity  and  education.  If  Mr.  Peabody  had  been  President 
of  the  United  States,  with  lucrative  offices  in  his  gift,  or  a  Military- 
Chieftain,  fresh  from  victorious  battle-fields,  more  people  could  not  have 
turned  out  to  receive  him  or  decorated  the  streets  and  houses,  public 
and  private,  with  a  finer  display  of  arches  and  flowers,  of  banners  and 
inscriptions,  to  greet  him  on  his  return,  than  was  done  for  him,  a  suc- 
cessful man  of  business  and  a  gentleman  without  office  and  without 
title.     Truly 

"  Peace  hath  her  victories, 

No  less  renowned  than  war." 

The  day — the  ninth  of  October,  1856 — was  a  perfect  specimen  of  a 
bright,  warm,  autumnal  day,  and  of  itself  disposed  the  heart  to  the  ut- 
terance of  thanksgiving  and  kindly  sentiment.  At  half  past  nine, 
A.  M.,  Mr.  Peabody  arrived  in  his  carriage  from  Georgetown,  where 
his  sister  resides,  at  the  confines  of  Danvers,  and  was  received  by  a 
cavalcade  of  some  three  hundred  ladies  and  gentlemen,  under  an  ever- 
green arch  hung  with  flags  and  streamers — and  from  that  point,  escort- 
ed to  South  Danvers,  where  the  procession  was  formed,  which,  gather- 
ing length  and  strength  and  variety,  proceeded  through  the  principal 
streets  to  the  Institute — the  stores  and  shops,  the  dwellings  on  either 
hand,  and  especially  those  where  his  old  friends  reside,  being  decorat- 
ed with  tasteful  devices  and  inscriptions,  expressive  of  the  sense  enter- 
tained of  the  character  and  services  of  the  guest,  too  numerous  and 
varied  to  be  remembered  or  described  in  detail. 

We  extract  the  following  from  a  previous  number  of  the  same  pe- 
riodical, being  the  concluding  part  of  an  article  on  the  Peabody  Insti- 
tute, from  the  pen  of  its  able  and  energetic  Editor,  Hon.  Henry  Bar- 
nard, who  is  so  widely  known  by  his  incessant  labors  for  the  advance- 
ment of  public  education  : — 

As  an  additional  encouragement  to  the  youth  of  Danvei-s  to  improve 
their  privileges,  Mr.  Peabody  has  signified  his  intention  to  give  the  sum 
of  two  hundred  dollars,  annually,  to  be  appropriated  for  the  purchase 
of  prizes  for  the  meritorious  pupils  of  the  two  High  Schools,  known  as 
the  Peabody  and  Holten  Schools.  In  furtherance  of  this  design,  the 
School  Committee  of  Danvers  have  had  executed  a  beautifully  designed 
medal,  called  the  Peabody  Medal,  to  be  awarded  to  the  deserving 
members  of  the  schools. 


133 

But  the  munificence  of  Mr.  Peabody  has  not  been  restricted  to  the 
noble  Institution  which  will  perpetuate  his  name,  or  to  the  schools 
where  he  was  educated,  or  the  town  where  he  was  born.  It  is  yet  too 
soon  to  speak  of  all  his  benefactions ;  and  long  may  it  be  before 
those  who  follow  him  will  bo  called  on  to  make  up  the  record  of  his 
uses  of  great  wealth  acquired  by  commercial  sagacity,  probity,  and 
diligence.  When  that  record  is  written,  it  will  be  found  that  his  liberal 
hand  has  bestowed  largely  to  provide  for  the  widow  and  orphan,  be- 
reaved by  pestilence,  and  for  the  poor,  rendered  houseless  by  fire,  in 
cities  which  he  never  visited.  When  the  credit  of  his  adopted  State  of 
Maryland  was  not  properly  protected  in  Europe,  his  princely  interpo- 
sition redeemed  her  bonds  from  dishonor.  The  industry  and  arts  of 
his  native  land  will  not  forget  his  timely  advances  of  many  thousand 
dollars,  that  rescued  from  entire  failure  the  American  department  of 
the  London  Exhibition.  Science  and  humanity  will  unite  in  associating 
his  name  with  that  of  Grinnell,  as  the  generous  patron  of  discovery  in 
unexplored  regions,  and  of  search  after  the  hardy  navigator,  whose  fate 
had  touched  the  heart  of  all  Europe.  And  while  he  has  contributed 
to  rear  in  the  capital  of  his  country,  a  monument  to  the  memory  of 
Washington,  his  large-hearted  patriotism  has  exalted,  in  the  city  of  his 
residence,  the  anniversary  of  American  Independence  from  a  national 
festival,  to  a  fete  of  Liberty  and  Fraternity,  which  the  friends  of  civil 
and  religious  freedom,  whether  born  on  American  or  English  soil,  may 
unite  in  celebrating. 


[From  the  London  Times.] 
THE  PEABODY  OVATION  AT  DANVEES. 

The  London  Times  contains  the  following  account  of  the  Peabody 
Ovation  at  Danvers,  contained  in  a  letter  from  its  New  York  cor- 
respondent : — 

A  little  town  called  Danvers,  about  an  hour's  ride  by  railroad  from 
Boston,  was  yesterday  (the  9th,)  the  scene  of  a  grand  popular  festival, 
which,  in  decorations  and  display,  threw  all  recent  political  demon- 
strations, even  in  the  metropolis  of  New  York,  into  the  shade.  Dan- 
vers is  the  birthplace  of  Mr.  Peabody,  the  well-known  American 
banker,  whose  4th  of  July  celebrations  and  amalgamation  banquets  of 
the  two  nations  have  made  his  name  familiar  in  London  to  circles  out- 
side those  of  the  city  and  commerce. 

He  has  just  returned  to  his  native  town  after  twenty  years'  absence  ; 
during  that  time  he  has  done  good  service  to  hundreds  of  his  country- 
men abroad,  and  with  great  munificence  endowed  schools,  and  found- 
ed a  public  library  in  his  native  town.  On  his  return  he  was  offered  a 
public  reception  by  the  merchants  of  New  York,  but  declined  it.  The 
community  for  which  he  has  done  so  much,  however,  could  not  be  so 
refused,  and  yesterday  gave  him  a  magnificent  ovation. 

The  whole  country,  for  miies  round,  must  have  poured  its  popula- 
tion into  the  place  ;  there  were  guards  of  honor  of  volunteers,  well   up 


134 

in  their  drill  and  splendidly  uniformed  ;  chariots  of  many  shapes,  like 
those  in  the  pictures  of  the  pageantry  of  the  ancient  guilds  ;  half  a 
score  of  military  bands,  and  a  procession  with  flags  and  banners  three 
miles  long.  It  included  so  many  schools  of  children  that  the  problem, 
how  America  peoples  her  "  far  West"  so  rapidly,  became  quite  intelli- 
gible ;  there  was  an  emblematic  party  of  young  ladies,  representing 
the  thirty-odd  States  of  the  Union  ("  bleeding  Kansas"  judiciously 
omitted,  no  political  sensation  being  required,)  escorting  three  fair 
personations  of  England,  Ireland,  and  Scotland. 

Mr.  Peabody's  long  residence  in  England  gave  an  opportunity,  which 
was  very  gracefully  taken,  to  manifest  the  good  feeling  of  the  people 
towards  the  old  country ;  and  it  pervaded  all  the  proceedings  of  the 
day.  The  two  flags  waved  everywhere  together,  and  at  the  dinner,  to 
which  above  1200  guests  sat  down  in  a  gigantic  tent,  the  same  senti- 
ment of  mutual  friendship  gave  a  pleasing  tone  to  all  the  speeches.  It 
was  not  an  official  display,  nor  was  any  political  party  addressed  by  it ; 
politics  were  avoided. 

Those  present  were  a  fair  specimen  of  the  mercantile,  agricultural, 
and  working  classes  of  New  England  ;  and  if  the  same  spirit  animates 
the  same  classes  in  other  great  districts  of  the  Union  it  is  a  cheering 
and  pleasant  indication.  Had  the  Queen  of  Great  Britain  been  the 
Sovereign  of  their  allegiance,  her  name  could  not  have  been  received 
with  warmer  demonstrations  of  respect  and  regard.  The  Hon.  Ed- 
ward Everett  made  the  speech  of  the  day — an  eloquent  exposition  of 
the  civilizing  effects  of  commerce — in  compliment  to  the  class  to  which 
Mr.  Peabody  belongs.  It  is  rarely  that  a  private  gentleman  receives 
such  a  proof  of  public  admiration,  but  the  feeling  of  community  be- 
tween the  two  nations  it  expressed  was  its  most  pleasing  distinction  to  a 
stranger. 


AN 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH 


PEABODY    INSTITUTE, 


^rombiiigs  at  f  itmirg  t\t  €mm-B>k\% 


AND  AT  TH> 


D  E  D  I  CAT  ION. 


136 


PREFATORY. 


The  following  pages  contain  an  account  of  the  proceedings  at  the  laying  of 
the  corner-stone  of  the  Peabody  Institute,  and  also  those  at  the  dedication  of 
the  building  after  its  completion.  The  Institute  was  peculiarly-fortunate  in  ob- 
taining the  services  of  distinguished  and  eloquent  men  on  these  interesting 
occasions.  The  words  of  the  Hon.  Abbott  La-WTence,  himself  a  noble  bene- 
factor of  many  of  our  institutions  of  learning  and  benevolence,  are  worthy  of 
perpetual  remembrance,  and  will  be  read  with  new  interest  now  that  death  has 
placed  its  consecrating  seal  upon  his  name.  The  address  of  Mr.  Choate  pre- 
sents the  true  idea  and  office  of  the  Lecture  in  connection  with  the  Library  ; 
and  his  luminous  and  eloquent  exhibition  of  the  relation  of  hearing  lectures  to 
reading  and  studying  books,  cannot  fail  to  have  a  most  beneficial  influence 
wherever  they  are  known,  and  may  serve  to  make  our  Lyceums  far  more  pro- 
fitable, as  means  of  intellectual  culture,  than  than  they  have  heretofore  been. 

The  Trustees  of  the  Institute  have  felt  that  these,  and  the  other  addresses 
connected  with  them,  should  be  rescued  from  the  daily  papers  in  which  they 
first  appeared,  and  given  to  the  public  in  a  form  for  permanent  preservation ; 
and  every  reader  of  these  pages  will  feel  that  Danvers  has  reason  for  constant 
gratitude  to  the  generous  founder  of  the  Peabody  Institute,  for  furnishing  so 
liberally  to  its  inhabitants  the  means  of  intellectual  and  moral  improvement. 

Before  proceeding  with  the  account  of  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  and  the 
dedication,  we  give  a  brief  Historical  Sketch  of  the  Institute. 


137 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH. 


Upon  the  completion  of  the  narrative  of  the  reception,  by  his  towns- 
men, of  the  founder  of  the  Peabody  Institute,  it  seems  not  inappro- 
priate to  present,  for  the  information  of  the  public,  some  account  of  the 
origin  of  the  institution,  its  design,  and  the  success  which  has  thus  far 
attended  its  operations. 

Its  foundation  is  due  to  his  munificence,  who  adopted  this  method 
of  conferring  a  lasting  benefit  on  his  native  town.  Of  Mr.  Peabody 
himself,  it  is  needless  for  us  to  say  anything  in  this  place.  His  public- 
spirited  course  during  his  residence  abroad,  and  the  zeal  with  which  he 
has,  on  all  occasions,  upheld  the  honor  and  credit  of  his  native  land, 
have  won  for  him  the  admiration  of  his  countrymen,  and  have  made 
his  name  familiar  to  every  American.  The  circumstances  attending  the 
announcement  of  Mr.  Peabody's  gift  are  interesting.  The  citizens  of 
Danvers  had  determined  to  celebrate  the  one  hundreth  anniversary  of 
the  existence  of  the  town  as  a  distinct  municipal  corporation,  which  fell 
upon  Wednesday,  the  16th  of  June,  1852.  Although  Mr.  Peabody  had 
long  been  absent,  yet  the  many  proofs  by  which  he  had,  in  previous 
instances,  evinced  his  regard  for  the  place  of  his  birth,  gave  him  pecul- 
iar claims  to  be  included  among  the  invited  guests.  Accordingly,  an 
invitation  was  early  forwarded  to  him,  by  the  Committee  of  the  town, 
to  be  present  at  that  festival,  with  a  request  that,  if  unable  to  attend,  he 
would  signify  by  letter  his  interest  in  the  occasion.  In  his  reply,  after 
stating  that  his  engagements  would  allow  him  to  comply  only  with  the 
latter  part  of  the  request,  he  said,  "  I  enclose  a  sentiment  which  I  ask 
may  remain  sealed  till  this  letter  is  read  on  the  day  of  celebration, 
according  to  the  direction  on  the  envelope." 

The  indorsement  on  the  envelope  of  the  sealed  packet  was  as  fol- 
lows : — 

"  The  seal  of  this  is  not  to  be  broken  till  the  toasts  are  being  pro- 
posed by  the  Chairman,  at  the  dinner,  16th  June,  at  Danvers,  in  com- 
memoration of  the  one  hundreth  year  since  its  severance  from  Salem. 
It  contains  a  sentiment  for  the  occasion,  from  George  Peabody,  of  Lon- 
don." 


138 

In  obedience  to  the  above  direction,  at  the  proper  moment  the  reading 
of  the  communication  was  called  for ;  and  the  following  was  received 
by  the  delighted  audience  with  loud  acclamations  : — 

"  By  George  Peabody,  of  London  : — 

"  Education — A  delt  due  from  present  to  future  generations.'''' 

"  In  acknowledgment  of  the  payment  of  that  debt  by  the  generation 
which  preceded  me  in  my  native  town  of  Danvers,  and  to  aid  in  its 
prompt  future  discharge,  I  give  to  the  inhabitants  of  that  town  the  sum 
of  twenty  thousand  dollars,  for  the  promotion  of  knowledge  and 
morality  among  them. 

"  I  beg  to  remark,  that  the  subject  of  making  a  gift  to  my  native 
town  has  for  some  years  occupied  my  mind  ;  and  I  avail  myself  of 
your  present  interesting  festival  to  make  the  communication,  in  the  hope 
that  it  will  add  to  the  pleasures  of  the  day. 

"  I  annex  to  the  gift  such  conditions  only  as  I  deem  necessary  for  its 
preservation  and  the  accomplishment  of  the  purposes  before  named. 
The  conditions  are,  that  the  legal  voters  of  the  town,  at  a  meeting  to  be 
held  at  a  convenient  time  after  the  16th  June,  shall  accept  the  gift,  and 
shall  elect  a  Committee,  of  not  less  than  twelve  persons,  to  receive  and 
have  charge  of  the  same,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  Lyceum  for  the 
delivery  of  lectures,  upon  such  subjects  as  may  be  designated  by  a 
Committee  of  the  town,  free  to  all  the  inhabitants,  under  such  rules  as 
said  Committee  may  from  time  to  time  enact ;  and  that  a  Library  shall 
be  obtained,  which  shall  also  be  free  to  the  inhabitants,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Committee. 

"  That  a  suitable  building  for  the  use  of  the  Lyceum  shall  be  erected, 
at  a  cost,  including  the  land,  fixtures,  furniture,  &c.,not  exceeding  seven 
thousand  dollars,  and  shall  be  located  within  one-third  of  a  mile  of  the 
Presbyterian  Meeting-House,  occupying  the  spot  of  that  formerly  under 
the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Mr,  Walker,  in  the  south  parish  of  Dan- 
vers. 

"  That  ten  thousand  dollars  of  this  gift  shall  be  invested  by  the  town's 
Committee,  in  undoubted  securities,  as  a  permanent  fund,  the  interest 
arising  therefrom  to  be  expended  in  support  of  the  Lyceum. 

"  In  all  other  respects,  I  leave  the  disposition  of  the  affairs  of  the 
Lyceum  to  the  inhabitants  of  Danvers, — merely  suggesting  that  it  might 
be  advisable  for  them,  by  their  own  act,  to  exclude  sectarian  theology 
and  political  discussions  forever  from  the  walls  of  the  institution. 

"  I  will  make  one  request  of  the  Committee  ;  which  is,  if  they  see 
no  objection,  and  my  venerable  friend,  Capt.  Sylvester  Proctor,  should 
be  living,  that  he  be  selected  to  lay  the  corner-stone  of  the  Lyceum 
building. 

"  Respectfully  yours, 

George  Peabody." 

We  extract  the  following  from  the  town  records,  to  show  the  manner 
in  which  the  conditions  mentioned  above  were  complied  with  : — 


139 

"  At  a  legal  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Danvers, 
qualified  to  vote  in  town  affairs,  holdcn  at  Union  Hall,  in  the  south  parish 
in  said  town,  on  Monday,  the  28th  day  of  June,  1852. 

"The  original  communication  from  George  Peabody,  Esq., was  read 
by  the  Moderator.  The  following  resolves,  prepared  and  submitted  by 
Dr.  Andrew  Nichols,  were  unanimously  adopted  : — 

"  Resolved,  That  we,  the  legal  voters  of  the  town  of  Danvers,  in  legal 
meeting  assembled,  accept,  with  deep  emotions  of  gratitude,  the  munifi- 
cent gift  of  George  Peabody,  Esq.,  of  London,  of  twenty  thousand 
DOLLARS,  for  the  promotion  of  knowledge  and  morality  among  us ;  and 
we,  with  due  sense  of  its  importance  to  ourselves  and  to  those  who 
are  to  succeed  us,  accept  the  offered  trust,  and  bind  ourselves  faithfully, 
ardently,  and  constantly  to  endeavor  to  fulfil  the  wishes  and  accomplish 
the  noble  purpose  of  the  generous  donor,  and  to  enjoin  on  our  successors 
a  like  performance  of  the  same  sacred  duty. 

"  Resolved,  That  we  now  proceed  to  the  choice  of  a  Committee  of 
twelve  persons,  to  receive  and  have  in  charge  the  said  donation,  for  the 
purpose  of  establishing  a  Lyceum,  for  the  delivery  of  lectures  upon  such 
subjects,  exclusive  of  sectarian  theology  and  party  politics,  as  may  be 
designated  by  a  Committee  of  the  town,  free  to  all  the  inhabitants,  un- 
der such  rules  as  said  Committee  may  from  time  to  time  enact ;  and  to 
establish  a  Library,  which  shall  also  be  free  to  the  inhabitants,  under  the 
direction  of  the  Committee. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  members  of  said  Committee  shall  exercise  all 
the  authority  and  perform  all  the  duties  contemplated  by  the  donor,  and 
shall  hold  oflnce  by  the  following  tenure  ;  viz.,  two  of  the  twelve  shall 
hold  office  until  the  annual  meeting  in  1858  ;  two  until  1857  ;  two  until 
1856  ;  two  until  1855 ;  two  until  1854  ;  two  until  1853  ;  or,  in  all 
cases,  until  others  shall  be  chosen  and  accept  the  trust  in  their  stead. 
And  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  said  Committee,  as  soon  as  may  be  after 
their  organization,  to  determine,  either  by  agreement  or  by  lot,  who  of 
this  number  shall  hold  the  office  for  the  several  times  named,  and  com- 
municate the  same  to  the  Clerk  of  the  town,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to 
enter  the  same  on  the  records.  And  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Select- 
men to  order,  in  every  warrant  for  the  annual  town  meeting  hereafter, 
the  inhabitants  to  choose  or  give  in  their  votes  for  two  persons,  to 
become  members  of  said  Committee  for  the  term  of  six  years,  in  the 
place  of  those  whose  term  of  office  at  that  time  expires,  and  to  fill  all 
vacancies  caused  by  death,  resignation,  or  removal  from  the  town. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  aforesaid  Committee  of  Trustees  appoint  an- 
nually, from  the  citizens  of  the  town  at  large,  another  Committee,  who 
shall  select  books  for  the  library,  designate  the  subjects  for  lectures, 
procure  lecturers,  enact  rules  and  regulations,  both  in  regard  to  the  lec- 
tures and  the  library,  and  perform  all  such  other  duties  as  the  Commit- 
tee shall  assign  to  them  ;  and  they  shall  make  a  full  report  of  all  their 
doings  to  the  Trustees  semi-annually  ;  viz.,  on  or  before  the  second 
Monday  in  February  and  August. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Trustees  be  also  rcqtiired  to 
make  a  full  report  of  their  own  doings,  and  the  doings  of  the  Commit- 
tee by  them  appointed,  at  the  annual  town  meeting,  previous  to  the 
choice  of  members  of  said  Committee  above  provided  for. 


140 

"  Resolved,  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  said  Committee  to  corre- 
spond with  the  benevolent  donor  while  he  lives,  and,  in  all  their  doings, 
pay  all  due  regard  to  his  expressed  wishes. 

"  On  motion  made,  it  was  also  voted, — 

"  That  the  institution  established  by  this  donation  be  called  and 
known  as  the  PEABODY  INSTITUTE,  and  that  this  name  be  in- 
scribed, in  legible  characters,  upon  the  front  of  the  building  to  be 
erected,  that,  in  future  years,  our  children  may  be  reminded  of  their 
fathers'  benefactor,  and  that  strangers  may  read  the  name  of  him  whom 
Danvers  will  always  be  proud  to  claim  as  her  son. 

"  That  our  venerable  and  respected  fellow-citizen,  Capt.  Sylvester 
Proctor,  be  invited,  in  behalf  of  the  town,  and  in  accordance  with  the 
special  request  of  his  early  and  constant  friend,  Mr.  Peabody,  to  assist 
in  laying  the  corner-stone  of  the  proposed  edifice. 

"  That  the  Board  of  Trustees,  chosen  this  day,  forward  a  certified 
copy  of  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  to  Mr.  Peabody." 

The  following  gentlemen  were  then  elected  Trustees,  by  ballot :  — 

R.  S.  Daniels,  Francis  Baker, 

E.  W.  Upton,  Eben  Sutton, 

S.  P.  Fowler,  W.  L.  Weston, 

Joseph  Osgood,  Joseph  Poor, 

Miles  Osborn,  A.  F.  Clark, 

Eben  King,  Joseph  S.  Black. 

The  proceedings  of  the  town,  having  been  transmitted  to  Mr.  Pea- 
body, received  his  approval.  The  officers  of  the  Institute,  therefore, 
are  a  Board  of  Trustees  chosen  by  the  town,  in  whom  are  vested  its 
funds  and  other  property,  for  the  purpose  of  maintaining  a  Lyceum 
and  Library ;  and  another  Board,  chosen  annually  by  the  Trustees, 
called  the  Lyceum  and  Library  Committee,  whose  duties  are  to  super- 
intend and  direct  all  its  active  operations. 

Mr.  Peabody  afterwards  added  ten  thousand  dollars  to  his  first 
donation ;  the  whole  to  be  so  expended,  that  seventeen  thousand  dollars 
should  be  appropriated  for  the  land  and  building,  three  thousand  to 
the  purchase  of  books,  as  the  foundation  of  a  Library,  and  ten  thou- 
sand to  remain  as  a  permanent  fund.  Further  donations  have  since 
been  received,  swelling  the  aggregate  of  Mr.  Pcabody's  gifts  to  the 
Institute  to  an  amount  exceeding  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

The  difficulty  of  procuring  a  suitable  lot  of  land,  within  the  pre- 
scribed distance  from  the  meeting-house,  caused  some  delay  in  the 
erection  of  the  building.  But  at  length  a  site  was  selected  on  Main 
Street;  and  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  structure  was  laid,  with  ap- 
propriate  ceremonies,  on   the  20th  of  August,  1853, — Hon.  Abbott 


141 

Lawrence,  an  intimate  friend  of  Mr.  Peabody,  performing  the  part 
assigned  to  Capt.  Sylvester  Proctor,  who  had  deceased.  The  building 
was  finished  in  the  course  of  the  following  year,  and  dedicated  to  its 
future  uses  on  the  29th  of  September,  1854.  Hon.  Rufus  Choate 
delivered  an  eloquent  address  on  that  occasion. 

It  is  a  stately  edifice,  eighty-two  feet  in  length  by  fifty  in  breadth, 
built  of  brick,  and  ornamented  with  brown  Connecticut  freestone. 
On  its  front,  a  slab  of  freestone  bears  the  words,  PEABODY  INSTI- 
TUTE, in  relief.  The  Lecture  Hall,  occupying  the  whole  of  the  up- 
per story,  is  finished  with  neatness  and  simplicity,  and  is  furnished 
with  seats  for  about  seven  hundred  and  fifty  persons.  Over  the  ros- 
trum hangs  a  full-length  portrait  of  Mr.  Peabody,  by  Healy,  which 
has  been  pronounced  by  connoisseurs  to  be  a  chef  (Tozuvre  of  that 
artist.  It  was  set  for  by  him  at  the  request  of  the  citizens  of  the 
town,  but,  at  its  completion,  was  presented  to  them.  The  Library 
Room,  in  the  lower  story,  is  commodiously  arranged  for  the  delivery 
of  books.  The  shelves  for  books  are  placed  around  the  walls  of  the 
room ;  but,  by  the  addition  of  alcoves,  its  capacity  can  be  greatly 
increased. 

Courses  of  lectures  have  been  delivered  in  the  Lyceum  Hall,  to 
large  and  attentive  audiences.  The  situation  of  Danvers,*  within  an 
hour's  ride,  by  railroad,  of  the  metropolis,  is  highly  favorable  for 
availing  herself  of  the  best  talent  in  this  field  of  literary  labor. 

This  department  of  the  Institute  formed  a  prominent  feature  of  it 
in  the  design  of  its  founder,  and,  we  think,  deservedly  so.  Indeed, 
this  method  of  conveying  knowledge,  in  connection  with  the  common 
school  and  higher  seminaries  of  learning,  must  now  be  ranked  among 
the  principal  educational  appliances  peculiar  to  the  social  system  of 
New  England.  The  success  of  the  Lowell  Institute  in  Boston,  and 
other  similar  institutions,  abundantly  attest  the  truth  of  this  remark. 
The  eflforts  which  have  of  late  been  made  to  present,  by  means  of 
series  of  lectures,  the  outlines  of  science  to  the  public,  have  met  the 
approbation  of  all  friends  of  learning.  Doubtless  the  ardor  of  youth 
is  often  thus  incited  to  efforts  which  may  lead  to  future  distinction. 

*  By  an  Act  of  the  Legislature,  passed  May  18,  1855,  that  part  of  the  town  in 
which  the  Peabody  Institute  is  located  was  incorporated  as  a  new  town,  by  the  name 
of  South  Danvers ;  but  the  privileges  of  the  Institute  will  continue  to  be  enjoyed  by 
all  within  the  limits  of  the  former  town  of  Danvers.  By  a  more  recent  enactment 
a  part  of  South  Danvers  has  been  annexed  to  Salem  by  an  exchange  of  territory, 
yet  the  privileges  of  the  Institute  will  be  continued  to  all  those  residing  within  the 
limits  of  the  ancient  town,  as  well  as  those  who  reside  on  the  territory  annexed  to 
South  Danvers. 


142 

The  greatest  minds  of  our  country  have  not  thought  it  beneath  their 
dignity  thus  to  lend  their  aid  in  infusing  a  spirit  of  self-culture  among 
the  people. 

The  attention  of  the  Lyceum  and  Library  C'ommittee  was  early 
directed  to  the  formation  of  a  Library.  The  selection  of  books,  pre- 
liminary to  an  extended  purchase,  was  found  to  be  a  work  of  no  small 
difficulty  ;  for,  while  they  appreciated  the  importance  of  laying  a  broad 
foundation,  they  also  felt  it  to  be  their  duty  to  render  the  Library  not 
only  "  free  to  the  inhabitants,"  but  truly  useful  to  all  the  citizens.  In 
forming  lists,  therefore,  under  the  general  heads  of  science,  history, 
belles-lettres,  &c.,  they  gave  the  preference  rather  to  such  works  as 
they  believed  would  meet  the  wants  of  the  reading  community,  than 
to  those  more  elaborate  productions  which  are  better  calculated  to  aid 
the  extended  researches  of  the  scholar ;  trusting  that  the  Library 
would,  by  future  accessions,  gradually  arrive  at  that  symmetry  and 
completeness  so  desirable  to  be  attained.  Pursuing  this  plan,  the 
Committee  were  relieved  from  much  embarrassment,  and  were  enabled 
to  prosecute  their  labor  with  so  much  success,  that,  as  soon  as  the 
Library  Room  was  ready  to  receive  them,  about  1500  volumes  had 
been  prepared  to  be  placed  upon  its  shelves. 

In  December,  1854,  a  donation  of  books  was  unexpectedly  received 
from  Mr.  Peabody, — affording  a  new  proof  of  his  generosity,  and  his 
continuing  interest  in  the  Institution  that  bears  his  name.  These 
books,  in  all  about  2,500  volumes,  were  selected  by  his  order,  in 
London,  by  Mr.  Henry  Stevens,  agent  of  the  Smithsonian  Institute. 
They  comprise  many  valuable  and  even  rare  works ;  among  which 
may  be  mentioned  the  "  Philosophical  Transactions  of  the  Royal  So- 
ciety," and  a  complete  set  of  the  "  Gentleman's  Magazine."  Subse- 
quent additions  to  the  Library,  by  purchase  and  by  gift,  have  increased 
the  number  of  volumes  to  above  5,300  ;  of  the  latter,  about  250  vol- 
umes were  received  from  the  Mechanic  Institute, — an  association  that 
had  existed  in  the  town  since  1841,  and  had  itself  been  preceded  by 
the  Lyceum  Society. 

The  Library  has  been  open  for  the  delivery  of  books  about  two 
years,  with  the  most  gratifying  result.  During  library  hours,  which 
at  present  are  the  afternoon  and  evening  of  Wednesday  and  Saturday, 
the  room  has  been  thronged  with  eager  applicants  ;  and  their  choice  of 
works  is,  in  general,  highly  creditable  to  their  literary  taste.  It  ap- 
pears from  the  Ledger,  that,  during  this  period,  commencing  October 
18, 1854,  1,772  persons  have  availed  themselves  of  its  privileges  ;  and 


143 

that,  during  four  months  of  this  time,  the  number  of  volumes  taken 
was  11,866, — an  average  of  349  each  Library  day.  For  the  success 
of  this  department  of  the  Institute,  much  credit  is  due  to  the  efforts  of 
Mr.  Eugene  B.  Hinckley,  the  recent  Librarian,  by  whom  the  Cata- 
logue was  compiled.  The  regulations  concerning  the  distribution  of 
books  are  as  few  and  simple  as  is  consistent  with  their  safety  and 
prompt  return ;  and,  although  the  rules  in  regard  to  delinquents  have 
been  rigidly  adhered  to,  it  has  seldom  been  necessary  to  put  them  in 
force. 

Such,  in  brief,  is  the  history  of  the  establishment  of  this  Institution 
in  our  midst ;  and,  henceforth,  we  trust  that  the  Peabody  Institute 
will  exert  an  important  influence  in  the  cause  of  education. 


TRUSTEES— 1856-7. 

Robert  S.  Daniels,  Chairman. 

John  B.  Peabody,  Clerk. 

Eben  Sutton,  Treasurer. 

Joseph  Osgood.  Henry  Poor. 

Samuel  P.  Fowler.  Joel  Putnam. 

Franklin  Osborn.  Philemon  Putnam. 

Isaac  Hardy,  Jr.  Francis  Dane. 

Israel  W.  Andrews. 


LYCEUM  AND  LIBRARY  COMMITTEE— 1856-7. 

Alfred  A.  Abbott,  Chairman. 

George  F.  Osborne,  Secretary. 

George  A.  Osborne,  Treasurer. 

Fitch  Poole.  .  Eugene  B.  Hinckley. 

Eben  S.  Poor.  Benjamin  C.  Perkins. 

Eben  Hunt.  Francis  Baker. 

William  L.  Weston.  Moses  Black,  Jr. 

Thomas  M.  Stimpson. 

Fitch  Poole,  Librarian. 


144 


PAST  AND  PRESENT  MEMBERS  OF  THE  BOARD  OF 
TRUSTEES, 

Witli  the  Term  for  wMch  each  was  Elected. 


Eben  King, 
Joseph  S.  Black, 
William  L.  Weston, 
Aaron  F.  Clark, 
Francis  Baker, 
Joseph  Poor, 
Elijah  W.  Upton, 
Miles  Osborn, 
Joseph  Osgood, 
Eben  Sutton, 


1852-1853. 
1852-1853. 
1852-1854. 
1852-1854. 
1852-1855. 
1852-1855. 
1852-1856. 
1852-1856. 
1852-1857. 
1852-1857. 


Robert  S.  Daniels, 
Samuel  P.  Fowler, 
Henry  Poor, 
Joel  Putnam, 
Philemon  Putnam, 
John  B.  Peabody, 
Francis  Dane, 
Israel  W.  Andrews, 
Franklin  Osborn, 
Isaac  Hardy,  Jr., 


1852-1858. 
1852-1858. 
1853-1859. 
1853-1859. 
1854-1860. 
1854-1861. 
1855-1860. 
1855-1861. 
1856-1862. 
1856-1862. 


MEMBERS  OF  THE  LYCEUM  AND  LIBRARY  COMMITTEE, 

"With  the  time  of  their  Continuance  in  Office. 


Andrew  N[chols,* 
Fitch  Poole, 
George  A.  Osborne, 
Benjamin  C.  Perkins, 
Eben  Hunt, 
John  B.  Peabody, 
William  N.  Lord, 
Eben  S.  Poor, 
William  L.  Weston, 
Alfred  A.  Abbott, 


1853. 

1853-1856. 

1853-1856. 

1853. 

1853-1856. 

1853. 

1853-1854. 

1853-1856. 

1853-1856. 

1853-1856. 


Philemon  Putnam,  1853-1854. 
Eugene  B.  Hinkley,  1853-1856. 
William  F.  Poole,  1853-1853. 
Nathan  H.  Poor,  1854-1855. 
George  F.  Osborne,  1854-1856. 
Benjamin  C.PERKiNS,tl855-1856. 
Thomas  B.  Hinkley,  1855. 
Thomas  M.  Stimpson,  1855-1856. 
Francis  Baker,  1856. 

Moses  Black,  Jr.,        1856. 


*  Deceased  in  1853. 


t  Reelect. 


145 


DONORS  AND  DONATIONS  OF  BOOKS, 

EXCLUSIVE   OP   PAMPHLETS, 

TO     THE     PEABODY     LIBRARY, 


• 

Vdls 

Allen,  Lewis, 16 

Amherst  College,      ..... 

1 

Bache,  Professor  A.  D.,  Washington, 

2 

Banks,  Nathaniel  P.,  Jr.,  Waltham,   . 

23 

Gary,  Thomas  G.,  Boston, 

1 

Cook,  Henry,  ...... 

16 

Cutler,  William,       .         .         . 

4 

Danvers,  Town  of,   . 

110 

Danvers  Mechanic  Institute, 

245 

Essex  Institute,  Salem, 

1 

Fay,  Francis  B.,  Chelsea, 

12 

Flint,  Charles  L.,  Boston, 

1 

Gooch,  Charles  C,  London, 

7 

Hinkley,  Eugene  B.,        .         .         . 

2 

Jacobs,  Joseph,         ..... 

5 

Lakeman,  Nathan,  .         .         .         .         . 

9 

Lawrence,  Samuel,  Boston, 

1 

Lawrence,  James,  Boston, 

1 

Lynn  Library,  Lynn, 

2 

Massachusetts,  State  of,    . 

6 

Maury,  Lieut.  James,  Washington,    . 

2 

Mercantile  Library,  Boston, 

1 

Middlesex  Mechanic  Association,  Lowell, 

1 

Nichols,  Mrs.  Andrew,     . 

14 

Northend,  Charles,  New  Britain,  Conn.,    . 

18 

Osborne,  George  A., 

14 

Paine,  Martyn,  New  York, 

7 

Peabody,  Geokge,  London, 

2504 

Phillips,  Alonzo  P.,           ... 

. 

5 

10 

146 


Poole,  William  F.,  Boston, 

Poole,  Leonard, 

Poole,  Fitch,    . 

Poole,  Theodore, 

Poor,  Eben.  S., 

Proctor,  John  W.,     . 

Providence  Athenaeum, 

Roy,  W.  L.,    . 

Salem  Athenaeum,    . 

Single  Blessedness,  Author  of, 

Shillaber,  Benjamin  P.,  Chelsea, 

Smithsonian  Institute,  Washington, 

Teague,  John  H.,     . 

Towne,  Amos  P.,     • 

Upham,  Charles  W.,  Salem, 

Whitney,  Henry  A.,  Boston, 

Wright,  E.  M., 


Vols. 
8 
1 
37 
5 
3 
3 
1 

11 
1 
1 
2 
4 
1 
1 
1 
1 
3 


147 


THE  LAYING  OF  THE  CORNER-STONE. 


The  Corner-Stone  of  the  edifice  designed  for  the  Peabody  Institute 
was  laid  on  Saturday  afternoon,  August  20,  1853.  The  occasion  was 
one  of  great  interest,  and  its  observance  was  due  to  its  distinguished 
Founder,  making  a  marked  era  in  our  local  history. 

The  weather  was  exceedingly  favorable,  and  a  great  number  of  peo- 
ple were  present  to  witness  the  proceedings,  among  whom  were  many 
ladies,  and  distinguished  gentlemen  from  Boston,  Salem,  and  adjoining 
towns.  The  guests  from  abroad  were  handsomely  entertained  at  the 
residence  of  Eben  Sutton,  Esq.,  which  is  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
the  Institute  grounds. 

At  4  o'clock  the  exercises  commenced,  under  direction  of  the 
President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  Hon.  Robert  S.  Daniels,  the  Com- 
mittee and  guests  occupying  a  raised  platform,  and  a  band  of  music 
beina;  in  attendance  added  an  enlivening  interest  to  the  occasion. 

Mr.  Daniels  called  the  assembly  to  order,  and  opened  the  proceed- 
ings by  the  following  remarks : — 

MR.  DANIELS'  REMARKS. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : — 

We  have  assembled  here  to-day  for  the  purpose  of  laying  the  corner- 
stone of  a  building  about  to  be  erected  on  this  spot,  for  the  promotion 
of  objects  of  deep  interest  to  every  good  citizen.  The  noble  generosi- 
ty of  George  Peabody,  who  is  proud  to  claim  Danvers  as  the  home  of 
his  ancestors  and  the  place  of  his  nativity,  has  brought  us  together  at 
this  time.  He  is  now  a  distinguished  and  honored  resident  of  the  me- 
tropolis of  the  world.  Mr.  Peabody  made  his  donation  to  the  inhabit- 
ants of  his  native  town,  for  the  promotion  of  knowledge  and  morality 
among  them.  He  considers  it  a  debt  due  from  the  present  to  future 
generations.  These  are  high  and  noble  views  and  objects.  It  is  hon- 
orable to  him,  and  if  rightly  improved,  must  be  a  great  blessing  to  us, 
and  those  who  come  after  us.  It  is  our  duty,  my  friends,  to  see  that 
the  Institution  to  be  here  established  is  fairly  and  honorably  com- 


148 

menced ;  that  all  the  trusts  committed  to  us  are  executed  with  fidelity, 
and  in  the  most  perfect  good  faith.  Let  the  present  generation  leave 
everything  connected  with  this  Institution  in  full  and  vigorous  growth  ; 
let  us  do  our  duty  conscientiously,  and  trust  to  an  impartial  posterity 
for  an  approval. 

Before  proceeding  in  the  ceremonies,  it  is  proper  that  we  should 
invoke  the  blessing  of  God  upon  our  undertaking. 

An  appropriate  prayer  was  addressed  to  Almighty  God,  by  the  Rev. 
Milton  P.  Braman. 

The  Hon.  Alfred  A.  Abbott  was  then  introduced,  and  delivered  the 
following  address,  prepared  for  the  occasion,  in  the  most  eloquent  and 
happy  manner : — 

MR.  ABBOTT'S  ADDRESS. 

Fellow-Citizens  : — 

By  the  solicitations  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Peabody  Dona- 
tion, I  have  been  persuaded  to  assume  a  task  which  more  properly 
devolved  upon,  and  should  have  been  performed  by,  some  other  one  of 
your  number.  We  have  met  here  to-day,  under  the  smiles  of  this 
summer  sun,  to  signalize  an  event,  not,  perhaps,  of  wide  and  general 
interest,  but  certainly  worthy  of  commemoration  in  our  local  annals. 

On  the  16th  day  of  June,  1852,  during  the  closing  ceremonies  of  the 
celebration  of  the  centenary  of  Danvers  as  an  independent  municipali- 
ty, a  communication  was  received  from  Mr.  George  Peabody  of  Lon- 
don, a  native  of  this  town,  enclosing  this  sentiment — "  Education  :  a 
debt  due  from  present  to  future  generations," — and  with  it  a  tender  of 
the  sum  of  twenty  thousand  dollars,  for  founding  here,  in  the  place  of 
his  birth  and  his  early  home,  a  lyceum  and  library,  an  institution  which 
should  be  free  to  all  the  inhabitants,  for  the  constant  and  lasting  pro- 
motion among  them  of  knowledge  and  morality.  This  munificent  do- 
nation, afterwards  increased  by  the  receipt  of  ten  thousand  dollars  more 
from  the  same  source,  was,  by  the  corporate  action  of  the  town,  grate- 
fully accepted,  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  trustees,  to  be  by  them  in- 
vested and  used  in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the  donor.  In  fulfil- 
ment of  their  trust  they  have  selected  this  site, — and  here,  upon  this 
pleasant  spot,  they  are  now  proceeding  to  rear  an  imposing  structure, 
which  shall  be  to  our  children,  and  our  children's  children,  a  monu- 
ment to  him  whose  name  it  is  to  bear, — a  memorial  worthy  and  appro- 
priate, if  it  shall  but  faithfully  subserve  his  high  aims  and  noble  pur- 
poses. 


149       ■ 

In  laying  the  corner-stone  of  the  proposed  edifice,  a  circumstance 
recognized  by  custom  as  the  commencement  of  such  an  enterprise  as 
this,  the  trustees  have  thought  it  well  that  there  should  be  some  slight 
observance, — some  little  ceremony,  however  humble,  to  mark  our  in- 
terest in  the  occasion,  and  which,  while  it  shall  be  a  public  recognition 
of  gratitude  to  our  kind  benefactor,  shall  also  serve  as  an  equally  pub- 
lic pledge  of  our  determination  to  cooperate  in  promoting  the  great 
object  of  his  noble  benefaction. 

And  now,  fellow-citizens,  in  the  simple  statement  which  I  have  made 
is  comprehended  the  whole  purpose  of  our  assembling  together.  Here, 
perhaps,  I  ought  to  stop,  for  should  I  speak  further,  not  a  person  is  there 
present  who  has  not  anticipated  the  theme  of  my  remarks.  "  Who  is 
this  man,  until  recently  a  stranger  to  most  of  this  living  generation,  and 
dwelling  in  a  foreign  land,  who  is  this  man  who  has  done  this  act  ? 
How  lofty  are  his  motives,  and  how  vitally  important  the  end  he  has  in 
view !"  This  question,  and  this  or  such  an  exclamation,  embody  the 
thoughts  which  must  be  uppermost  in  every  mind,  and  which  form  the 
natural  and  fitting  topics  of  the  occasion.  Upon  neither  of  them  shall 
I  dwell  but  for  a  moment ;  certainly  I  need  not  upon  the  first.  The 
character  and  history  of  Mr,  Peabody  have,  by  the  natural  course  of 
things,  become  so  familiar  to  us  within  the  last  year,  that,  like  his 
name,  they  have  almost  come  to  be  household  property.  How,  nearly 
threescore  years  ago,  "  in 'a  very  humble  house  in  this  then  quiet  vil- 
lage, he  was  born,  the  son  of  respectable  parents,  but  in  humble  cir- 
cumstances,"— how,  '■  from  the  common  schools  of  the  parish,  such  as 
they  were  from  1803  to  1807,"  to  use  his  own  simple  words,  "  he  ob- 
tained the  limited  education  his  parents'  means  could  afford,  but  to  the 
principles  then  inculcated  owing  much  of  the  foundation  for  such  suc- 
cess as  heaven  has  been  pleased  to  grant  him  during  a  long  business 
life," — how,  at  the  early  age  of  eleven  years,  in  the  humble  capacity 
of  a  grocer's  boy,  in  a  shop  hard  by  where  we  now  stand,  he  com- 
menced his  life  of  earnest  but  successful  toil — hoio,  four  years  after, 
having  sought  promotion  in  another  sphere,  he  found  himself,  by  his 
father's  death  and  his  brother's  misfortunes,  an  orphan,  without  means, 
without  employment,  without  friends,  and  all  in  the  most  gloomy 
times,  but  how,  buoyed  up  by  firm  resolve  and  a  high  endeavor,  he 
turned  his  back  upon  the  endeared  but  now  desolate  scenes  of  his  boy- 
hood, and  sought  under  a  southern  sun  those  smiles  of  fortune  denied 
him  by  the  frowning  skies  of  his  northern  home — how,  there  in  George- 
town, in  the  District  of  Columbia,  he  became  while  not  yet  nineteen 


150 

years  old,  such  was  his  capacity  and  fidelity,  partner  in  a  respectable 
firm,  which  afterwards  removed  to  Baltimore  and  had  branches  estab- 
lished in  two  or  three  of  our  principal  cities,  and  how,  at  length  become 
the  head  of  his  house,  and  having  crossed  and  recrossed  the  ocean 
many  times  in  the  transaction  of  his  foreign  business,  he  at  last,  in 
1847,  established  himself  permanently  in  London,  having  now  created 
an  immense  business  and  amassed  a  princely  fortune, — how,  through 
all  this  career  from  poverty  to  opulence,  that  simple  heart  and  kindly 
nature  which  in  youth  divided  with  his  orphan  brothers  and  sisters  the 
scanty  earnings  of  his  toil,  and  in  later  and  more  prosperous  days  ex- 
panded in  social  amenities  and  timely  charities  to  his  countrymen  in  a 
strange  land,  how  this  true  nature  remained  ever  the  same,  untainted 
by  that  proud  success  which  too  often  corrupts,  mellowed  only  by  those 
growing  years  which  seldom  fail  to  blunt  our  finer  sensibilities — and 
lastly,  /io?c,  while  with  a  private  life  above  reproach,  and  a  prc^ssional 
character  distinguished  even  among  the  merchant  princes  of  England, 
he  had  come  to  be  pointed  out,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  as  the  model 
of  a  man  and  a  merchant,  how,  all  this  time,  his  heart  fondly  turned  to 
his  native  country,  and  hoio,  true  to  her  interests  and  her  honor,  in  the 
darkest  hour  of  her  adversity,  he  stood  up  manfully  in  her  defence,  and 
throwing  patriotism,  energy  and  capital  into  the  breach,  sustained  her 
credit,  vindicated  her  good  name,  and  won  the  gratitude  and  received 
the  thanks  of  sovereign  states, — all  this,  fellow-citizens,  is  but  the  out- 
line of  a  portraiture,  and  a  grouping  of  some  incidents  in  a  sketch  which 
I  will  not  fill  up,  because  recent  events  have  spread  before  you  the  de- 
tails and  drawn  the  picture  w  ith  colors  of  light.  Were  any  apology 
needed  for  not  proceeding  further,  I  find  it  in  the  presence  here  of  one, 
[Hon.  Abbott  Lawrence,]  who,  both  by  business  and  social  relations, 
must  have  been  brought  into  close  and  friendly  intimacy  with  Mr.  Pea- 
body,  and  from  whom  I  indulge  the  hope  that  we  may  hear  a  word  to- 
day. You  cannot,  fellow-citizens,  mistake  my  allusion  to  him  who  was 
so  lately  our  minister  to  the  Court  of  St.  James,  who,  if  he  will  pardon 
me,  himself  presents  another  of  the  happiest  illustrations  of  the  highest 
type  of  our  national  character, — who,  also  the  architect  of  his  own  am- 
ple fortune,  built  up  by  a  series  of  enterprises,  which  while  enriching 
him  have  blessed  others,  and  reared  up  as  by  magic  a  thriving  city 
upon  the  banks  of  our  beautiful  Merrimac,  has  crowned  his  active  life 
by  services  for  the  State,  which  have  earned  him  gratitude  and  won 
him  fame.  I  trust  that  while  kindly  consenting  to  perform  a  ceremo- 
nial act,  he  will  not  refuse  to  indulge  us  with  a  few  words  of  him 


151 

whom  he  must  be  proud  to  call  his  friend,  and  whom  we  shall  fever 
recognize  as  our  generous  benefactor. 

Upon  the  other  topic  which  was  suggested  I  forbear  even  to  enter. 
A  consideration  of  the  motives  which  actuated  Mr.  Peabody  in  his 
present  gift  is  a  subject  so  interesting  and  a  field  so  wide  that  the 
casual  glance,  which  would  be  all  this  occasion  could  allow,  would 
altogether  fail  to  grasp  its  merits  or  even  to  discover  its  proportions. 
Somewhat,  it  may  be,  of  pious  feeling  of  a  debt  due — somewhat  of 
tender  and  long  cherished  affection  for  the  spot  of  his  nativity — some- 
what of  the  sweet  memories  and  hallowed  associations  of  early  days, 
of  dear  remembrances  of  youthful  friends  and  buried  love — much,  in- 
deed, of  all  this  may  have  moved  his  heart ;  but  his  strong,  good  sense 
and  intelligent  mind  took  hold  upon  something  and  was  moved  by  causes 
more  potent  than  mere  sentiment.  He  thought  and  reflected  upon  that 
which  is  agitating  the  minds  of  thinking  men  everywhere,  alike  in  the 
calm  contemplation  of  the  looker-on  abroad,  alike  in  the  excited,  glow- 
ing life  of  the  citizen  at  home — that  here  and  now  was  being  solved  the 
great  problem  of  the  age,  and  of  all  ages — that  here,  upon  this  vast 
theatre  and  beneath  the  arching  skies  of  this  new  world,  was  being  tested 
the  last  great  experiment  of  self-government — that  this  expanding,  swel- 
ling empire  has  for  its  only  basis  the  intelligence  and  morality  of  the 
people— and  that,  unless  knowledge  and  virtue  follow  in  the  path  of  our 
national  progress,  and  keep  step  with  its  wonderful  march,  the  toils  of 
our  fathers  and  the  hopes  of  their  sons  will  prove  alike  in  vain,  and  our 
dreams  of  future  glory,  vanishing 

"  Like  the  baseless  fabric  of  a  vision, 
Leave  not  a  rack  behind." 

And  this,  fellow-citizens,  is  the  true  teaching  of  that  sentiment^  this 
the  lesson  which  comes  hidden  in  that  gift — and  which,  would  we  but 
learn  it  ourselves  and  proclaim  it  to  others,  might  prove  more  precious 
than  silver  or  gold,  or  untold  treasure.  This  day,  then,  imposes  upon 
us  new  responsibility  ;  this  added  privilege  summons  us  to  higher  duties. 
Bound  by  fresh  obligations  to  our  homes  and  our  vicinage,  wc  arc  also 
reminded  that  we  form  a  part  of  one  great  country,  dear  to  all  hearts, 
and  that,  our  little  pebble  cast  upon  the  waters,  its  quiet  influence  may 
ripple  to  the  furthest  shore.  We  may  do  but  little  directly  ;  indirectly 
we  can  accomplish  much.  As  every  State  in  the  Union  acts  upon  every 
other,  for  good  or  for  evil,  in  proportion  to  its  comparative  moral  and 
intellectual  growth,  so  every  town  acts  upon  the  State, — and  thus  every 
man,  acting,  through  his  fellows,  upon  the  town  and  so  upon  the  State, 


152 

is  felt  at  last  upon  the  destinies  of  the  whole  republic.  Thus  the  honest 
farmer  who  here  tills  his  narrow  acres,  and  the  industrious  mechanic 
who  plies  his  humble  trade,  but  who  rear  up  their  children  in  the  fear 
of  God,  the  love  of  knowledge,  and  in  obedience  to  law,  may  not  only 
secure  the  happiness  of  his  village  fireside  and  the  prosperity  of  his 
beloved  Commonwealth,  but  be  planting  seeds  which  shall  germinate 
upon  the  banks  of  the  great  rivers  of  the  West  and  along  the  shores  of 
the  Pacific,  in  a  harvest  richer  and  dearer  than  yellow  grain  or  golden 
sands. 

And  now,  fellow-citizens,  while  we  lay  deep  and  broad  the  foundations 
of  this  institution,  already  consecrated  to  God  in  prayer,  let  us  also 
dedicate  it  to  the  noble  objects  of  its  founder.  As  the  stately  edifice 
rises  in  strength  and  beauty,  let  our  new-formed  purposes  for  the  ad- 
vancement of  mind  and  morals,  warm  and  ripen  into  firm  resolve  and 
living  action.  And  when  it  shall  have  been  completed,  and  we  and  out 
children  shall  reap  the  benefits  and  enjoy  the  blessings  of  this  pious  and 
patriotic  gift, — as  in  after  years  we  shall  repair  hither  at  the  quiet  close 
of  the  summer's  day,  to  refresh  our  minds  with  the  treasures  of  study 
and  the  delights  of  learning,  or  gather  here  in  the  long  evenings  of  our 
northern  winter,  to  seek  the  truths  of  science,  and  catch  from  eloquent 
lips  the  lessons  of  knowledge  and  wisdom, — let  us,  and  those  who  come 
after  us,  ever  remember  that  we  are  but  members  of  one  great  family, 
ruled  over  by  one  good  God,  in  whose  mysterious  providence  the  hum- 
blest one  of  us  may  benefit  and  bless  the  whole  universe  of  man. 

The  Chairman  then  introduced  the  Hon.  Abbott  Lawrence  in  the 
following  remarks : — 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

It  is  with  great  pleasure  I  announce  to  the  audience  that  the  Hon. 
Abbott  Lawrence  of  Boston,  whose  private  worth  and  public  services 
must  be  familiar  to  all,  has  consented,  at  Mr.  Peabody's  request  and  our 
earnest  solicitation,  to  lay  the  corner-stone. 

Mr.  Lawrence,  having  advanced  to  the  front  of  the  platform,  spoke 
as  follows : 


153 


SPEECH  OF  HON.  ABBOTT  LAWRENCE. 

Mr.  Chairman,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : — 

I  am  here  to-day  by  invitation  of  the  Committee  of  this  Institution, 
and  at  the  urgent  request  of  some  of  my  friends,  and  also  of  Mr.  George 
Peabody,  whom  I  am  proud  to  say  I  have  the  privilege  of  calling  my 
friend.     [Applause.] 

My  first  duty,  sir,  is  to  present  my  acknowledgments  and  thanks  to 
the  H^on.  gentleman  who  has  addressed  us  on  this  occasion,  (Mr.  Abbott.) 
I  feel  most  deeply  the  kind  words  he  has  spoken,  and  the  expressions 
which  he  was  kind  enough  to  use  as  applying  to  me  personally. 

Ladies  and  gentlemen,  this  is  no  ordinary  occasion,  and  it  is  no 
ordinary  audience  which  I  address.  I  am  here  in  a  town  which  has 
given  birth  to  a  great  number  of  distinguished  men.  I  am  here  in  that 
town  where  the  immortal  Gen.  Israel  Putnam  was  born.  I  am  not  un- 
mindful, also,  that  another  revolutionary  individual,  Judge  Holten,  was 
a  native  of  the  town  of  Danvers,  and  I  remember  well  that  most  extra- 
ordinary man,  who  lived  to  a  great  age.  Gen.  Gideon  Foster  of  Dan- 
vers. I  also  knew  a  civilian — a  jurist  of  distinction,  who  has  lately 
deceased — Judge  Putnam.  And  I  should  do  injustice  to  myself,  and  the 
sweet  memories  I  entertain,  if  I  were  to  omit  another  individual,  who 
has  lately  passed  away,  the  Hon.  Daniel  P.  King,  who  was  a  friend  of 
mine  for  many,  many  years.     [Applause.] 

I  will  not  dwell  longer  upon  names,  because  I  know  that  this  town 
was  the  cradle  of  the  revolution.  I  know  that  our  country  is  indebted 
to  the  town  of  Danvers  for  many  of  the  most  distinguished  men  she 
had  at  that  time.  But  t  am  happy  to  say  that  I  am  now  addressing  the 
descendants  of  those  men  who  achieved  our  nation's  independence. 
[Cheers.] 

Sir,  I  before  remarked  to  you  that  I  came  here  as  the  representative 
of  Mr.  George  Peabody ;  and  upon  that  it  may  generally  be  asked  how 
Mr.  Peabody  achieved  so  much  good  for  his  country.  I  know  him  well. 
I  have  known  him  for  many  years.  I  have  seen  him  day  by  day,  month 
after  month,  and  year  after  year,  and  for  the  benefit  of  the  younger 
portions  of  this  audience,  I  will  tell  you  how  he  has  achieved  all  that 
has  been  so  eloquently  portrayed  by  the  Hon.  gentleman  who  preceded 
me.  In  the  first  place,  nature  gave  him  a  good  constitution  and  a  sound 
mind ;  secondly,  he  is  a  man  of  indomitable  moral  courage  ;  thirdly, 
he  has  patience,  perseverance,  industry,  and,  above  all,  the  strictest 
integrity.     [Applause.] 


154 

Ladies  and  gentlemen,  I  know  him  well,  and  I  can  say,  here  in  the 
face  of  this  summer's  sun  and  this  audience,  that  I  deem  Mr.  George 
Peabody  the  very  soul  of  honor,  and  that  is  the  foundation  of  his  suc- 
cess. Those  traits  of  character  I  have  mentioned — this  integrity  of 
purpose  and  determination — have  given  him  all  the  success  he  has 
achieved.     [Renewed  applause.] 

Sir,  he  deserves  all,  all  that  has  been  so  eloquently  expressed  by  the 
Hon.  gentleman  who  preceded  me.  He  deserves  all  this  commenda- 
tion, and  language  is  hardly  strong  enough,  in  my  opinion,  to  convey  to 
you,  his  fellow-townsmen,  the  excellent  traits  of  the  character  of  Mr. 
George  Peabody.  I  have  mentioned  to  you  the  names  of  several  dis- 
tinguished individuals  who  were  born  and  brought  up  in  this  good  town 
of  Danvers ;  they  have  left  names  behind  them  that  will  last  as  long  as 
patriotism,  honor,  and  virtue  is  considered  or  remembered  in  the  world  ; 
but  none  will  go  down  to  posterity  with  more  honor,  more  love,  or  more 
of  that  which  ennobles  man,  than  the  name  of  Mr.  George  Peabody. 
[Applause.] 

Sir,  I  wish  he  were  here  to-day.  I  am  sure  he  will  be  gratified  when 
he  learns  all  the  interest  that  has  been  taken  by  the  people  of  Danvers 
and  its  neighborhood,  in  laying  the  corner-stone  of  an  institution  which 
bids  fair  to  do  more  for  future  good  than,  perhaps,  any  other  institution 
in  this  town  or  its  neighborhood. 

Sir,  I  feel  a  deep  interest  in  this  institution.  In  all  the  movements, 
not  only  in  our  own  New  England,  but  elsewhere  in  our  favored  country, 
upon  the  subject  of  education,  I  rejoice.  I  rejoice  that  so  much  has  been 
done  ;  but,  let  me  say,  a  great  deal  more  remains  to  be  accomplished. 
We  have  a  great  labor  yet  to  perform.  We  live  in  a  country  increasing  in 
the  numbers  of  its  people  at  the  rate  of  a  million  a  year!  And  our 
only  security  for  the  preservation  of  our  freedom  and  our  republican 
institutions  is,  to  educate  the  people.  Not  only  let  there  be  education, 
but  let  it  be  universal — a  universal  education  of  the  people — and  this  is 
the  purpose  of  the  institution  whose  foundation-stone  we  are  called  upon 
to  place  to-day.  It  is  one  of  the  germs  of  this  universal  education. 
[Cheers.] 

Sir,  I  will  task  your  patience  no  longer  at  this  time.  We  have  among 
us  one  of  our  great  and  accomplished  orators,  all  ready  to  make  a  speech, 
besides  two  mayors  and  one  or  two  members  of  Congress,  all  of  whom 
I  should  be  most  happy  to  hear.     [Loud  applause.] 


155 

Mr.  Lawrence  was  then  conducted  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Building 
Committee  to  the  northwest  angle  of  the  edifice,  where  the  corner-stone 
was  duly  laid  ;  in  the  performance  of  which  ceremony  Mr.  Lawrence 
spoke  as  follows : — 

Mr.  Chairman  : 

I  now  proceed  to  lay  the  foundation-stone  of  an  institution,  which  1 
trust  may  be  as  permanent  as  the  granite  of  which  it  is  composed.  I 
lay  the  stone  in  the  hope  and  belief  that  the  building  which  is  to  be 
erected  will  always  be  appropriated  to  the  diffusion  of  knowledge  among 
the  whole  people — founded  upon  the  principles  of  true  religion,  drawn 
solely  from  the  Bible.  I  beg  to  say,  especially  for  the  benefit  of  the 
younger  portion  of  this  great  assembly,  that,  from  my  own  observation 
and  experience,  which  have  not  been  small,  the  only  safe  chart  of 
human  life  will  be  found  in  the  Holy  Scriptures — and  to  you,  my  young 
friends,  I  would  recommend  on  all  occasions,  and  in  every  position  of 
life,  to  study  the  Bible. 

Sir,  allow  me  still  further  to  express  a  hope,  that  this  edifice  may 
never  be  desecrated  to  purposes  of  religious  controversy  or  political 
wrangling,  but  may  ever  be  held  sacred  to  the  promotion  of  those  great 
principles,  which  were  so  nobly  maintained  by  your  forefathers, — liter- 
ature, art,  science,  and  public  liberty — always  to  be  regulated  by  law. 

No  human  institution  can  be  permanently  prosperous  without  the 
blessing  of  Divine  Providence,  and  I  therefore  invoke  the  blessing  of 
the  Almighty  upon  this  institution,  its  founder,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town  of  Danvers. 

The  company  then  returned  to  the  platform,  where  the  Chairman 
introduced  his  Honor  Benjamin  Seavcr,  Mayor  of  Boston,  by  a  happy 
allusion  to  the  various  charitable,  literary,  and  scientific  institutions  of 
Boston. 

SPEECH   OF   HON.   BENJAMIN   SEAVEll. 

Mr.  Chairman  :  — 

I  thank  you,  sir,  and  the  gentlemen  of  the  committee,  for  having 
done  me  the  honor  to  invite  me  to  attend  at  the  ceremonial  of  this  day. 
I  esteem  it  a  high  privilege  to  be  here,  and  I  congratulate  you  and  the 
committee,  as  well  as  the  inhabitants  of  this  town,  upon  the  magnifi- 
cent donation  it  has  received.  It  is  honorable  to  them,  sir,  and  it  does 
honor  to  the  distinguished  individual  of  whose  generosity  they  are  the 
recipients,  that  such  a  multitude  has  assembled  to  testify  their  appreci- 
ation of  its  value. 


156 

Sir,  it  would  seem  out  of  place  for  me  to  say  a  word  on  this  occa- 
sion, were  it  not  for  the  high  consideration  of  what  it  is  that  makes 
New  England  honorable  and  prosperous,  at  home  and  abroad, — that  it 
is  not  her  numbers  that  gives  her  consideration,  but  that  knowledge 
alone  is  the  power  of  New  England.  [Cheers.]  Sir,  I  regard  this 
occasion  as  one  that  adds  to  those  means  which  have  given  to  New 
England  her  knowledge,  and  her  consequent  power,  and  honor,  and 
prosperity.     [Applause."] 

The  distinguished  gentleman  whom  it  is  the  happy  privilege  of  the 
town  of  Danvers  to  call  a  native  citizen,  has  contributed  very  much 
not  only  to  the  prosperity  of  your  own  town,  but  to  that  of  the  city 
which  I  have  the  honor  to  represent  on  this  occasion,  and  to  the  whole 
of  New  England.  Sir,  you  have  done  but  justice  to  the  city  of  Boston 
in  the  remarks  you  have  made  complimentary  to  her  institutions.  We 
are  now  about  to  establish  a  public  library  there,  as  you  are  well  aware, 
by  the  munificence  of  one  of  our  own  citizens,  who  has  also  lived  in  the 
city  of  London,  and  enjoyed  its  honors  and  an  unusual  degree  of  pros- 
perity, and,  amid  all  these  honors  and  all  this  prosperity,  has  not  for- 
gotten the  period  when  he  was  a  poor  apprentice  boy  in  Boston.  Sir, 
1  wish  I  was  at  liberty  to  read  a  private  letter  from  that  distinguished 
gentleman,  Joshua  Bates,  Esq.,  of  London.  He  would  be  elevated 
still  more  in  your  estimation,  and  in  the  estimation  of  all  who  know 
him.  That  gentleman,  I  may  be  permitted  to  say,  did  not  forget  his 
once  humble  position.  He  had,  as  my  friend  has  said  of  Mr.  Peabody, 
a  good  constitution  and  a  sound  mind,  and,  above  everything  else,  as 
an  element  of  success  everywhere,  he  was  endowed  with  honor  and 
integrity  of  character. 

But,  Mr.  Chairman,  it  would  not  become  me,  after  all  that  has  been 
so  eloquently  and  properly  said  in  praise  of  your  distinguished  bene- 
factor, to  add  a  single  word,  except  to  express  a  wish,  in  which  I  know 
that  every  one  who  hears  me,  and  those  who  cannot  hear  me,  will  join 
with  all  their  hearts.  It  is — Health,  long  life,  happiness,  and  troops  of 
friends,  to  George  Peabody,  Esq.     [Loud  cheers.] 

The  Chairman  then  introduced  Hon.  Asahel  Huntington,  Mayor  of 
Salem,  as  follows  :  — 

Old  Mother  Salem,  who  is  ever  ready  to  give  good  counsel  and 
advice  to  all  her  children,  is  represented  here  by  her  excellent  Mayor, 
Hon.  Mr.  Huntington. 


157 


MAYOR  HUNTINGTON'S   SPEECH. 

Mr.  Chairman  :  — 

I  feel  greatly  obliged,  sir,  for  the  privilege  of  being  present  upon 
this  most  interesting  occasion,  and  that  you  have  seen  fit  to  call  upon 
me,  as  the  representative  of  our  ancient  and  neighboring  city  of  Naum- 
keag,  of  which  Danvers  is  the  first-born  daughter,  ever  to  be  known 
and  honored,  especially  in  the  character,  principles,  purposes,  and 
objects  of  her  distinguished  son, — ever  to  be  known,  sir,  and  honored 
throughout  the  civilized  world, — George  Peabody,  the  founder  of  a 
great  popular  institution  ;  an  institution  that  is  to  shed  abroad,  through 
all  coming  generations,  knowledge,  virtue,  and  morality  ;  an  institution 
that  is  to  confer  countless  blessings  upon  this  his  native  town,  which  he 
remembers  abroad,  in  the  great  commercial  metropolis  of  the  world. 
Honored,  as  he  is,  among  merchant  princes,  yet,  sir,  it  does  him  still 
higher  honor  that  he  remembers  that  little  village  school-house,  and 
that  meeting-house  in  its  neighborhood,  where  the  Rev.  Mr.  Walker 
ministered  in  the  days  of  his  youth,  and  sends  a  princely  donation  to 
be  the  foundation  and  the  means  of  rearing  here  this  great  popular 
seminary  of  learning  for  his  own  townsmen  through  all  coming  time. 
[Applause.] 

I  come  here  with  great  pleasure,  at  the  invitation  of  the  trustees  of 
this  institution,  to  testify,  with  many  of  my  fellow-citizens,  to  the  deep 
interest  we  feel  in  this  occasion,  and  the  objects  of  this  assembly.  We 
trust,  sir,  that  the  purposes  and  aims  of  the  founder  of  this  institution 
may  be  accomplished,  in  the  increased  diffusion  of  learning  and  mo- 
rality among  the  people  of  this  town,  his  native  place,  to  the  end  of 
time.     [Applause.] 

The  Chairman  next  introduced  the  Hon.  George  S.  Hillard,  of  Bos- 
ton, who  spoke  as  follows  :  — 

MR.   HILLARD'S   SPEECH. 

Mr.  Chairpian,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  :  — 

I  am  wholly  unprepared  to  address  you  at  this  time.  I  have  not  a 
speech,  either  in  my  head  or  in  my  pocket.  Indeed,  I  do  not  know 
upon  what  grounds  those  who  have  called  me  out  upon  this  occasion 
can  justify  their  conduct,  either  to  their  consciences  or  to  their  sense  of 
honor.  [Laughter.]  I  am  not  here  in  any  official  capacity.  I  am,  it 
is  true,  a  citizen  of  no  mean  city ;  but  I  am  the  mayor  of  nothing 


158 

[renewed  laughter]  ;  nor  can  I  claim  to  be  a  citizen  of  your  good  town 
of  Danvcrs,  as  is,  doubtless,  well  known  to  all  of  you  ;  nor  can  I  even 
fall  back  upon  the  last  ground  of  all, — of  being  a  friend  of  Mr.  Pea- 
body,  for  it  is  my  misfortune  not  to  be  personally  acquainted  with  that 
gentleman.  I  am  here  simply  as  a  Massachusetts  man  ;  nay,  more  : 
as  a  man  in  obedience  to  that  noblest  sentiment  of  the  Latin  poet,  the 
nearest  approach  to  a  Christian  sentiment  ever  uttered  by  a  heathen 
writer, — "  I  am  a  man,  and  I  feel  myself  interested  in  everything  that 
relates  to  humanity."     [Cheers,] 

Sir,  I  consider  that  this  occasion  addresses  itself  to  eveiy  man, 
simply  as  a  member  of  the  great  human  family.  I  am  glad  to  be  here 
to  testify,  so  far,  as  an  individual,  I  can  do  it,  my  appreciation  of  the 
honorable,  noble,  and  commendable  work  your  distinguished  fellow- 
townsman  has  here  this  day  done.  From  the  moment  I  read  in  the 
papers  Mr.  Peabody's  letter  enclosing  the  donation,  I  felt  a  warming  of 
the  heart  towards  that  gentleman,  whom,  I  confess,  I  had  never  even 
seen ;  and  not  only  that,  but  I  also  felt  an  interest  in  the  town  of  Dan- 
vers.  It  seemed  to  me  that,  from  that  time,  every  foot  of  the  town  of 
Danvers  had  in  it  a  new  element  of  interest  and  attraction  to  eveiy 
citizen  of  Massachusetts.     [Applause.] 

But  let  me  say  that  this  munificent  gift  of  your  townsman  imposes 
upon  you  a  corresponding  weight  of  duty  and  obligation.  Your  task 
will  not  have  been  performed  when  you  have  reared  these  stones  one 
upon  another,  or  when  you  may  have  filled  your  library  shelves  with 
books,  the  value  of  which  consists  alone  in  the  judicious  using  of  them. 
No.  It  demands  from  you  a  great,  continuous,  persevering,  uninter- 
rupted effort.  You  should  receive  this  gift,  not  merely  with  a  grateful, 
but  with  a  responsive,  spirit.  You  should  remember  that  every  dollar 
your  townsman  has  put  into  this  building  is  the  representative  of  toil, 
of  effort,  of  sacrifice,  of  the  postponement  of  present  enjoyment  for 
future  good,  of  a  giving  up  of  some  pleasure,  some  allurement  of  ease 
or  indulgence  ;  and,  surely,  he  asks  of  you  that  you  should  imitate 
this  generous  example  in  a  like  spirit.  You  are  not  to  fold  your  hands, 
but  to  work  with  him,  and  for  the  accomplishment  of  his  aims.  It 
becomes  those  among  you  who  are  educated,  to  give  of  your  knowl- 
edge to  the  ignorant ;  it  becomes  those  among  you  who  are  rich,  to 
give  of  your  abundance  to  the  poor ;  it  becomes  you  all  to  stretch  forth 
a  helping  hand  to  the  lowly,  to  the  poor,  and  to  the  struggling, — to  the 
poor  boy  who  stands  here  upon  your  soil,  as  your  townsman  stood 
many  years  ago.     In  that  spirit  you  may  show  your  gratitude,  and  I 


159 

say  this  in  the  full  assurance  that  you  will  meet  this  noble  bounty  in 
the  mood  of  mind  it  deserves.  I  trust  that  every  wish  and  every 
anticipation  he  may  have  formed,  in  his  most  sanguine  moments,  may 
be  here  more  than  realized.     [Applause.] 

I  hope  the  sunshine  which  now  falls  upon  us  from  these  covering 
heavens  may  be  a  symbolical  sunshine,  typifying  the  smiles  of  Heaven, 
which  shall  descend  and  rest  upon  this  building,  and  all  the  influences 
which  may  go  out  from  it.  May  it  be  a  fountain  of  good  influences, 
never  becoming  dry,  and  never  slacking  its  copious  streams.  May  it 
be  a  rill  of  happiness  to  coming  generations,  not  imperceptible,  not  lost, 
but  flowing  harmoniously  into  that  broad  stream  upon  which  our  com- 
mon country  is  ever  borne  onward  to  prosperity,  to  happiness,  and  to 
glory.     [Prolonged  applause.] 

The  Hon.  Charles  W.  Upham,  of  Salem,  was  then  called  upon,  and 
responded  as  follows  :  — 

MR.   UPHAM'S  SPEECH. 

Mr.  Chairman,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  :  — 

I  yield  to  the  call  which  has  been  made  from  the  Chair,  and  venture 
to  address  you  for  a  single  moment.  I  have  not  been  able  to  reach  the 
rostrum  before,  and  have  lost  very  much  of  the  eloquence  with  which 
you  have  been  entertained  this  afternoon  ;  but  I  am  ready  to  contribute 
my  mite  to  that  expression  of  public  gratitude  and  admiration  which 
has  burst  from  the  lips  of  these  eloquent  speakers,  and  been  responded 
to  by  all  your  hearts. 

Fellow-citizens,  1  beg  leave  to  express  the  sentiments  which  an 
humble  individual  of  the  neighboring  city  may  be  considered  as  justly 
authorized  to  entertain  on  this  occasion.  His  Honor  the  Mayor — 
whom  I  municipally  recognize  as  my  father,  the  head  of  our  city — 
has  spoken  in  the  name  of  that  city.  A  year  ago  I  occupied  the  sta- 
tion which  he  now  honors,  and  he  was  then  one  of  my  children,  and  I 
was  municipally  his  father.  Now,  therefore,  I  may  consider  myself 
as  clothed  with  a  still  higher  grade, — as  one  of  the  grandfathers  of  the 
city  of  Salem.  [Laughter.]  As  such,  I  am  happy  to  speak  the  sen- 
timents of  the  city  of  Salem.  You  are  "  bone  of  our  bone,  and  flesh 
of  our  flesh ; "  and  you  have  always  been,  men  and  women  of  Dan- 
vers,  spirit  of  our  spirits,  and  heart  of  our  hearts.  [Cheers.]  In  the 
earliest  periods  of  the  settlement  and  history  of  the  colony,  Danvers 
was  recognized  as  a  beautiful,  noble,  and  hopeful  off*spring  of  old 


160 


1 


Salem  ;  and,  from  the  first,  we  have  stood  together  in  perfect  sym- 
pathy, supporting,  as  I  trust  we  always  shall,  all  the  great  fundamental 
principles  which  go  to  the  preservation  and  welfare  of  the  republic. 

In  these  two  places — Danvers  and  Salem — knowledge,  virtue,  patri- 
otism, philanthropy,  and  piety,  have  been  cherished  from  the  first ;  and 
your  distinguished  and  truly  illustrious  townsman,  whose  praises  have 
been  so  well  uttered  to-day,  here  on  these  fields,  in  these  school-houses, 
and  beneath  the  roof  of  that  venerable  church,  imbibed  those  princi- 
ples which  have  made  him  what  he  is,  in  virtue  of  which  he  has  estab- 
lished this  institution,  to  perpetuate,  strengthen,  and  confirm  thos< 
principles  through  all  future  generations.     [Cheers.] 

Fellow-citizens,  I  will  not  detain  you  another  moment,  further  than 
to  say  that  you  are  entering  upon  a  most  noble  rivalry,  not  only  with 
your  mother  Salem,  but  with  the  metropolis  itself,  and  all  the  other 
most  honored  communities  of  our  land.  In  establishing  and  rearing 
this  noble  institution,  you  have  pledged  yourselves  to  the  cause  of  vir- 
tue, intelligence,  science,  and  religion  ;  and  I  can  only  say  that  it  will 
require  the  utmost  and  constant  exertion  of  the  energies  of  old  Salem 
to  keep  pace  with  you,  citizens  of  Danvers,  in  the  glorious  career  upon 
which  you  have  entered.  I  will  say  for  your  brethren  of  the  city  of 
Salem  that  we  will  endeavor  to  keep  pace  with  you ;  and,  hereafter, 
the  emulation  shall  be,  which  shall  be  most  faithful,  which  most  con- 
stant, which  most  strenuous,  in  sustaining  those  institutions  by  which 
alone  the  welfare,  the  glory,  and  the  prosperity  of  the  republic,  can  be 
perpetuated.     [Prolonged  applause.] 

The  Chairman  then  thanked  the  assembly  for  their  attendance  and 
orderly  conduct,  an  air  was  played  by  Felton's  band,  and  thus  con- 
cluded the  deeply-interesting  ceremonies  of  a  day  long  to  be  remem- 
bered by  the  people  of  Danvers. 

The  documents  placed  in  the  corner-stone  were  : — An  account  of 
the  Centennial  Celebration  at  Danvers  ;  account  of  a  dinner  given  by 
Mr.  George  Peabody  to  the  Americans  connected  with  the  Great  Exhi- 
bition, at  the  London  Coffee  House,  Ludgate  Hill,  Oct.  27,  1851  ; 
oflacial  town  documents  ;  newspapers  of  the  day ;  documents  of  the 
Essex  Historical  Society  ;  seal  of  the  Peabody  Institute  ;  documents 
of  the  city  of  Salem,  and  other  interesting  matter  relating  to  the  town ; 
together  with  an  "  Epistle  from  the  Present  to  Future  Generations," 
from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Fitch  Poole,  which  we  annex. 


161 


EPISTLE 

FROM  THE  PRESENT  TO  FUTURE  GENERATIONS. 


Danvers,  August  20,  1853. 
Respected  Descendants :  — 

We  address  you  at  this  time,  which  is  an  important  epoch  in  the 
annals  of  our  town.  The  event  of  to-day  will  be  regarded  by  you  as 
a  weighty  item  in  your  past  history.  We  have  met  to  lay  the  corner- 
stone of  an  edifice  connected  with  a  noble  institution,  designed,  by  its 
benevolent  founder,  for  the  promotion  of  knowledge  and  morality 
among  the  people  of  this  town,  through  successive  generations.  It  is 
erected  by  the  bounty  of  one  of  our  native  citizens, — GEORGE 
PEABODY, — now  a  resident  of  London,  the  present  capital  of  Great 
Britain.  In  his  childhood  and  early  youth,  he  received  instruction  in 
the  free  schools  of  our  village  ;  and,  in  grateful  acknowledgment  of 
these  privileges,  he  has  founded  the  institution  to  whose  objects  this 
building  is  to  be  consecrated.  This  institution  has,  by  a  vote  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  town,  received  the  name  of  the  "  PEABODY 
INSTITUTE,"  "  that,  in  future  years,  our  children  may  be  reminded 
of  their  fathers'  benefactor,  and  that  strangers  may  know  the  name  of 
him  whom  Danvers  will  always  be  proud  to  claim  as  her  son." 

The  institution  wasfounded  on  the  16th  day  of  June,  1852,  at  a  time 
when  the  inhabitants  were  assembled  to  celebrate  the  one  hundredth 
anniversary  of  its  corporate  existence.  You  will  find,  among  the  doc- 
uments inclosed  with  this,  a  full  account  of  the  proceedings  at  that 
celebration,  and  also  of  the  bestowment  of  the  gift. 

You  have  learned  from  history  that  Danvers  was  settled  in  1628,  by 
Governor  John  Endicott  and  his  followers,  some  of  whose  descendants 
are  now  among  our  most  valued  citizens.  You  have  read  of  its  growth 
in  connection  with  Salem,  and  its  separation  from  it  in  1752.  We  pro- 
pose to  speak  to  you  of  its  advancement  only  for  the  last  fifty  years, 
beginning  at  the  time  when  its  greatest  benefactor  was  a  pupil  in  one 
of  its  schools.  At  that  time  its  population  was  about  2600,  and  its 
annual  expenses  about  $5000.  It  was  then  almost  entirely  an  agricul- 
tural town,  the  people  being  distinguished  for  morality,  prudence,  and 
industry. 

At  this  time  its  population  is  about  10,000  ;  its  annual  expenses, 
nearly  $24,000,  about  one  half  of  which  is  applied  to  the  cause  of 
education.  Its  people  are  employed  mainly  in  agriculture  and  manu- 
factures. Its  lands  are  generally  of  good  quality,  and  highly  tilled, 
yielding  rich  returns  to  the  cultivators.  Its  principal  manufactures  are 
of  leather,  in  all  its  forms,  and  boots  and  shoes,  in  which  a  large  capi- 
tal, and  many  people,  find  constant  and  remunerative  employment. 
There  are  also  extensive  manufactories  of  carpets,  woolen  cloths,  iron, 

11 


162 

glue,  and  earthen  ware,  and  an  extensive  bleachery,  of  large  capital. 
This  establishment  is  buih  of  stone,  and  is  situated  near  the  biith-place 
of  Mr.  Peabody.  * 

There  are  three  banks  in  the  town,  exclusive  of  the  Savings  Bank, 
and  their  aggregate  capital  amounts  to  $500,000  ;  a  mutual  insurance 
company,  and  seven  churches.  It  has  two  high  schools,  and  twenty- 
five  grammar,  intermediate,  and  primary  schools,  all  supported  at  the 
public  expense.  It  has  also  a  well-built  and  convenient  alms-house,  at 
a  cost  of  $20,000,  and  a  well-organized  and  effective  fire  department. 

Of  the  thirty-two  cities  and  towns  of  Essex  County,  Danvers  ranks 
the  fifth  in  population,  the  fourth  in  wealth,  and  the  fourth  in  liberality 
to  its  public  schools. 

The  growth  of  the  town  has  been  steadily  progressive,  and,  without 
the  advantages  of  any  peculiar  natural  position,  or  by  the  aid  of  large 
manufacturing  establishments,  bringing  capital  from  abroad.  It  may, 
therefore,  be  truly  affirmed  that  its  rapid  advancement  in  population 
and  wealth  has  been  owing  to  the  energy,  enterprise,  and  industry  of 
its  own  citizens. 

Although  it  is  generally  understood  that  the  present  is  an  age  of  pro- 
gress, in  government,  literature,  science,  and  civilization,  you  will 
probably  look  back  upon  it  as  lamentably  behind  the  age  in  which  you 
live.  We  certainly  have  to  regret  the  little  progress  we  have  made  in 
lhe  arts  of  civilized  life,  and  that  our  age  must  confess  to  so  much  tardi- 
ness in  scientific  discovery. 

Owing  to  the  imperfection  of  our  astronomical  instruments,  we  know 
"but  little  of  the  fixed  stars,  and  none  of  their  planets  have  yet  been 
discovered.  In  our  own  solar  system,  we  are  acquainted  with  but  eight 
planets,  exclusive  of  the  twenty-three  asteroidal  bodies  ;  and,  strange 
as  it  may  seem  to  you,  we  are  still  in  doubt  whether  or  not  our  moon 
is  inhabited  ! 

In  locomotion,  great  advances  have  recently  been  made  ;  but  the 
greatest  speed  attained  on  land  is  from  thirty  to  fifty  miles  an  hour,  and 
at  great  risk  to  human  life,  many  lives  being  annually  sacrificed.  On 
the  water,  it  requires  ten  days  to  cross  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  by  our 
swiftest  ships,  driven  by  the  combined  power  of  wind  and  steam.  In 
navigating  the  air,  we  are  enabled  to  rise  a  few  thousand  feet  above  the 
earth  by  the  aid  of  balloons,  and  have,  as  yet,  no  power  to  guide  them 
against  the  currents  of  wind  which  they  may  encounter. 

We  have  no  lines  of  magnetic  telegraph  to  the  Pacific  coast,  or 
across  the  Atlantic.  Almost  the  whole  of  the  correspondence  of  the 
country  is  still  conducted  by  the  aid  of  the  post-office,  and  this  slow 
mode  of  communication  is  likely  to  continue  until  a  more  general  and 
perfect  system  of  telegraphing  is  established. 

Medical  science  has  not  yet  discovered  adequate  remedies  to  prevent 
the  spread  of  consumption,  or  those  destructive  epidemics,  yellow  fever 
and  cholera.  Our  geological  discoveries,  though  great,  are  of  such  a 
nature  that  they  open  a  wider  field  for  further  achievements.  Other 
discoveries,  such  as  the  hidden  power  of  electricity,  galvanism,  and 
■caloric,  seem  in  process  of  development,  which,  when  completed,  may 
furnish  new  aids  in  locomotion,  manufactures,  and  the  arts.  Still  other 
strange  phenomena  exist,  about  which  men  are  perplexed  to  find  a  solu- 


163 

tion,  but  which  will  cease,  in  your  times,  to  be  regarded  as  miraculous 
or  wonderful. 

In  education  some  advances  have  recently  been  made,  but  much 
remains  to  be  done.  We  have  long  had  our  free  schools,  which  are 
justly  regarded  as  the  glory  of  our  land  ;  but  the  instruction  they  afford 
is  rarely  extended  beyond  childhood  and  early  youth.  You  would 
scarcely  believe  it,  were  you  not  informed  by  authentic  history,  that  we 
have,  up  to  this  period,  no  free  colleges.  Except  as  in  the  case  of  the 
institution  whose  foundation  is  now  to  be  laid,  and  others  created  by  a 
like  private  liberality,  free  public  instruction  is  not  afforded  to  our  adult 
population.  It  will,  doubtless,  be  your  good  fortune  to  live  in  an  age 
when  education,  in  knowledge  and  virtue,  will  be  regarded  by  legisla- 
tors as  a  business  of  the  whole  life. 

In  geography  we  are  ignorant  of  the  Northern  and  Southern  Polar 
regions,  and  of  the  interior  of  Africa.  That  great  continent  is  to  this 
day  unexplored.  On  its  western  shore  is  an  infant  nation,  having  a 
republican  form  of  government,  wisely  and  efficiently  administered  by 
civilized  and  intelligent  men,  of  African  blood.  This  nation,  though 
small,  is  now  larger  in  population  than  was  civilized  America  two  cen- 
turies ago.  It  was  our  privilege  to  plant  it :  it  is  yours  to  watch  its 
progress,  and  witness  its  growth,  until  all  that  vast  continent  shall  be 
thrown  open  to  the  commerce  of  the  world. 

We  have,  also,  much  to  lament  in  the  moral  aspect  of  our  times. 
Christianity,  even  in  name,  has  extended  over  but  a  small  part  of  the 
globe,  and,  where  it  is  professed,  it  is  often  found  to  exert  too  little  in- 
fluence over  the  life.  You  are,  we  hope,  to  be  the  witnesses  of  more 
of  its  legitimate  power  at  home,  and,  by  the  efforts  of  the  devoted 
missionai'y,  aided  by  commerce,  its  spread  over  the  whole  earth. 

We  lament,  too,  that  so  little  of  political  and  personal  liberty  is  now 
in  the  world.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  all  forms  of  oppression  will  soon 
cease,  and  true  liberty  be  universally  enjoyed,  before  the  age  in  which 
you  shall  live.  There  is  yet  great  inequality  in  the  social  condition  of 
mankind,  which  you  are  to  see  corrected  by  a  stronger  bond  of  frater- 
nity, and  a  wider  philanthropy.  We  hope,  also,  that  it  will  be 
your  privilege  to  see  an  end  to  war,  and  witness  so  much  harmony 
among  the  nations,  that  their  union  may  be  perpetuated  by  a  universal 
language. 

Gold  and  silver  coin  is,  at  this  time,  the  standard  of  value  on  which 
is  based  the  circulation,  exchanges,  and  all  monetary  transactions  of 
the  mercantile  world.  The  relative  value  of  gold  over  silver,  at  the 
present  time,  is  as  about  one  to  sixteen.  Recent  discoveries  of  large 
quantities  of  gold  now  threaten  to  disturb  this  relation.  The  ingenuity 
of  neither  this  or  any  preceding  age  has  been  able  to  find  a  substitute 
for  these  metals  in  commercial  transactions. 

We  might  speak  to  you  particularly  of  our  own  country,  from  its  settle- 
ment to  its  independence  of  Great  Britain.  We  might  dwell  upon  the 
wisdom  and  valor  of  the  men  who  achieved  it,  led  by  the  illustrious 
Washington,  whose  great  name,  we  doubt  not,  will  be  cherished  by  you 
with  a  veneration  as  great  as  (hat  with  which  it  is  now  held  by  all  his 
countrymen.  We  might  speak  of  the  progress  of  the  country,  from 
that  time  to  the  present,  but   the   pen   of  history  renders  this  needless. 


164 

Its  territorial  limits  are  now  bounded,  on  the  east  and  west  by  the 
Atlantic  and  Pacific  oceans,  on  the  north  by  the  great  lakes  and  the 
49th  parallel  of  latitude,  and  on  the  south  by  the  Grande  and  Gila 
rivers.  We  dare  not  anticipate  its  extent  and  power  when  you  shall 
have  come  on  the  stage  of  life  !  Our  hopes  greatly  preponderate  over 
our  fears,  knowing  that  the  destinies  of  our  country  are  to  be  entrusted 
to  generations  having  greater  knowledge  than  the  present,  and  living  in 
a  more  enlightened  age  of  the  world. 

To  you,  our  desc(!ndants,  we  entrust  the  honor  and  welfare  of  our 
beloved  country  and  our  ancient  town.  To  you  we  commit  the  Institu- 
tion which  is  now  to  be  established.  It  is  a  gift  from  one  of  the  noblest 
men  of  our  age,  bestowed  on  you  for  your  improvement  in  knowledge 
and  virtue.  Cherish,  sustain,  and  improve  it  for  the  good  of  those  who 
will  follow  you.  Cherish,  also,  in  your  memories  and  affections,  the 
name  of  its  Founder.  Tell  your  children  of  his  high  sftnse  of  honor, 
of  his  successful  exertions  to  sustain,  in  a  dark  period,  the  drooping 
credit  of  his  country  and  countrymen,  and  of  his  zeal  to  unite,  in  a 
bond  of  true  brotherhood,  the  land  of  his  sojourn  with  the  land  of  his 
birth. 

We  stand,  much  respected  Posterity,  towards  you  in  a  peculiar 
position.  While,  as  your  ancestors,  we  are  now  addressing  you,  you 
are  not  in  existence  ;  nor  will  you  be,  until  ages  have  passed  away. 
We  know  not  the  time  when  you  will  occupy  the  stage  of  life  from 
which  we  shall  soon  make  our  exit.  While  you  are  waiting  for  your 
cradles,  we  wait  for  our  coffins.  Thus  successive  generations  will 
appear  and  assume  our  stations  ;  and  thus  they  will  depart  until  your 
time  comes.  You  will  then  look  back  upon  us  as  your  forefathers. 
You  will  look  with  critical  and  curious  eyes  on  our  antiquated  habits  of 
thought  and  action.  You  will  probably  show  your  compassion  for  our 
ignorance,  and  make  yourselves  merry  at  the  quaintness  of  our 
language  and  costume. 

While  you  justly  ridicule  us  lor  our  follies,  we  only  ask  you  to 
judge  us  by  the  puoper  standard.  We  wish  you  to  consider  that  every 
successive  generation  has  a  new  advantage  in  the  discoveries  and  ex- 
perience of  the  preceding,  and  that  you  are  indebted  to  us,  and  those 
who  follow  us,  for  much  of  that  wealth  of  wisdom  which  you  possess. 
We  crave  your  judgment  of  us  in  the  dim  light  of  our  own  age,  and 
not  in  the  brightness  of  yours.  We  ask  this  as  our  right,  so  that  when 
you  trace  your  genealogies  back  to  our  times,  you  may  deem  your- 
selves the  progen}'  of  a  worthy,  if  not  an  enlightened  ancestry. 

We  invoke,  in  your  behalf,  the  blessings  of  that  Providence  whose 
kind  care  supported  our  fathers,  and  has  extended  over  their  children  to 
the  present  moment.  As  your  progenitors,  we  give  you  our  blessing, 
not  doubting  that,  in  proportion  to  your  greatly  increased  privileges, 
will  be  your  improvement  of  them,  for  your  own  happiness  and  the 
true  glory  of  your  age. 

Accept  our  benediction,  and  with  it  our  congratulations,  that  you 
come  upon  the  stage  of  life  at  a  more  enlightened  age  of  the  world 
than  those  who  address  you. 

THE  GENERATION  OF  1853. 


165 


THE  DEDICATION. 


The  Peabody  Institute,  in  Danvers,  was  dedicated  on  Friday  after- 
noon, Sept.  29,  1854,  by  very  interesting  and  appropriate  services. 
The  beautiful  Hall  or  Lecture  Room  was  thronged  to  its  utmost  capacity, 
and  hundreds,  who  desired  to  gain  admission,  were  unable  even  to  ap- 
proach the  doors.  By  a  fortunate  coincidence,  a  magnificent  painting 
— a  full  length  portrait  of  Mr.  Peabody,  by  Healy,  ordered  by  the  citizens 
of  Danvers — was*  received  from  Europe  a  few  days  before,  in  season 
to  be  placed  over  the  rostrum,  facing  the  audience,  where  it  is  to  remain 
as  a  permanent  decoration  of  the  Hall,  and  memorial  of  the  noble- 
hearted  donor. 

The  services  were  introduced  by  the  following  pertinent  remarks  from 
Hon.  E,.  S.  Daniels,  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  who  presided  : 

MR.  DANIELS'  REMARKS. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : — 

This  is  a  deeply  interesting  occasion  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  town 
of  Danvers.  This  is  one  of  our  brightest  and  proudest  days.  The  events 
and  circumstances  which  have  brought  us  together  at  this  time  will  ever 
be  prominent  in  our  local  history.  This  building,  now  and  ever  after 
to  be  known  as  the  Peabody  Institute,  is  completed,  and  we  are 
assembled  to-day  for  the  first  lime  within  its  walls,  for  the  purpose  of 
consecrating  it  to  the  noble  objects  for  which  it  was  intended  by  its  dis- 
tinguished donor.  It  may  be  proper  to  state  that  in  its  erection  about 
one  hundred  persons,  in  all  the  departments  of  labor,  have  been  cm- 
ployed.  No  accident  has  occurred — no  disagreements  have  been 
known — no  discord  has  arisen  to  interrupt  the  most  pleasant  intercourse 
among  them — all  have  seemed  anxious  that  it  should  be  erected  with 
care  and  exactness.  The  architect,  the  master-builders,  and  the  humblest 
laborers,  have  exerted  themselves  to  do  their  whole  duty.  They  knew 
it  was  a  public  institution,  designed  for  the  public  good,  and  they  were 
ever  prompt  to  bestow  their  best  eflTorts,  that  it  might  be  what  it  ought 
to  be.  The  beauty  and  convenience  of  the  structure  will  convince 
every  impartial  observer  that  they  have  been  successful. 


166 

The  importance  of  this  Institution  to  this  town,  and  its  influence  in 
this  community,  we  trust  will  meet  our  most  sanguine  expectations.  It 
is  to  be  devoted  to  the  promotion  of  "knowledge  and  morality  " — this  is 
the  language  of  Mr.  Peabody — and  wherever  true  knowledge  is  diffused, 
society  will  be  improved  and  elevated;  and  wherever  pure  morality 
abounds,  there  will  be  a  security  and  confidence  which  will  promote  peace 
and  happiness,  and  add  much  to  the  enjoyment  and  pleasures  of  life.  To 
accomplish  these  purposes,  Mr.  Peabody  has  directed  that  lectures  shall 
be  given  and  a  library  established.  What  more  efficient  means  could 
be  designed  to  secure  the  desired  objects.?  Here  will  be  deposited  the 
results  of  the  labors  of  the  purest  and  best  minds.  Here  we  shall  have 
opportunity  to  be  instructed  and  enlightened  by  able  and  learned  orators. 
It  will  indeed  be  a  fountain  of  knowledge,  from  which  are  to  flow  streams 
of  intellectual  power  and  richness.  We  shall  find  here  sources  of  en- 
joyment and  of  refined  improvement,  which  are  afforded  to  few  towns 
even  in  our  own  favored  New  England.  Who  can  doubt  but  that  great 
and  good  influences  will  be  scattered  abroad  from  this  Institution  ?  Will 
not  our  young  men,  and  young  ladies,  too,  come  up  here  and  drink 
deep  from  these  sources  of  learning,  furnished  gratuitously  by  one  who 
experienced,  in  his  youthful  days,  the  need  of  such  golden  privileges? 
Youth  is  emphatically  the  time  to  store  the  mind  with  useful  knowledge  ; 
it  will  invigorate  the  intellect,  and  give  a  purer  and  better  knowledge  of 
the  great  duties  of  life. 

My  friends — Mr.  Peabody,  in  the  bestowment  of  his  first  donation, 
proposed  a  sentiment,  which  was  announced  at  the  Centennial  Celebra- 
tion, that  "  Education"  was  a  "  debt  due  from  present  to  future  genera- 
tions." And  how  soon  will  this  Institution,  with  its  cares  and  responsi- 
bilities, its  blessings  and  benefits,  be  known  only  to  posterity?  We  shall 
hardly  behold  the  swelling  bud  ; — the  opening  flower  and  the  ripened 
fruit  will  be  gathered  in  the  future.  This  building  will  probably  be 
standing  when  every  one  of  the  now  ten  thousand  inhabitants  of  this 
town  shall  have  mingled  with  the  dust.  It  is  well  known  to  you  that 
the  venerable  friend  of  Mr.  Peabody,  Capt.  Sylvester  Proctor,  who  had 
been  selected  to  lay  the  corner-stone,  had  passed  away  from  all  earthly 
scenes  before  that  event  occurred :  and  also  one,  [Dr.  Nichols,]  who 
was  prominent,  and  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  early  movements  for  the 
establishment  of  this  Institution,  slumbers  with  the  dead.  Thus,  one 
by  one,  but  in  rapid  succession,  our  time  on  earth  will  close  forever. 
Mr.  Peabody,  our  munificent  benefactor,  will  shortly  be  known  only  in 
name  ;  but  the  blessings  which  he  is  diffusing  for  the  benefit  of  posterity, 


167 

will  ensure  for  him  a  remembrance  of  more  enduring  character  than 
the  sculptured  marble.  With  these  solemn  but  undisputed  facts  in  view, 
let  us  pledge  ourselves  anew,  to-day,  to  the  faithful  performance  of  our 
duty.  Let  us  be  ever  mindful  of  the  sacred  trust  committed  to  our 
charge.  Let  the  privileges,  which  we  here  enjoy,  pass  from  us  into 
other  hands,  in  all  their  purity  and  strength. 

Prayer  was  then  offered  by  Rev.  Dr.  Braman,  after  which  the  fol- 
lowing Original  Hymn,  "  by  a  native,"  (understood  to  be  Edwin  Jocelyn, 
Esq.,)  was  sung,  in  a  very  superior  manner,  by  a  quartette  choir  from 
Salem,  consisting  of  the  Misses  Robinson  and  Messrs.  Whitmore  and 
Smith — Mr.  B.  J.  Lang  presiding  at  the  piano.  The  music  was  from 
Mozart : 

Maker,  Endower,  Thee  we  bless 

For  all  the  good  we  here  possess ; 

For  life, — these  mystic  frames  of  ours, 

Endued  with  all  their  various  powers ; 
•  Kind  Father !  send  thy  Spirit  down, 

This  rite  to  purify  and  crown. 

"We  bless  Thee  for  the  warm  blood's  flow, 
The  muscles'  strength  that  feels  its  glow ; 
For  higher  pow'rs  of  soul  and  mind, 
Mysteriously  with  all  combined ; 
Great  Author  !  shower  thy  Spirit  o'er, 
That  we  may  love  and  praise  Thee  more. 

We  bless  Thee  for  the  means  Thou'st  given, 
To  lift  our  souls  from  earth  to  Heaven ; 
And  praise  Thee,  that  the  Eternal  Mind 
Inspires  great  hearts  to  bless  their  kind, — 
Impai'ting  what  Thou'st  given  free, 
To  raise  their  race  and  honor  Thee. 

Father  of  All !  0  keep  our  sight 
Still  fix'd  on  Revelation's  light, 
That  points  a  life  more  pure  than  this, — 
Of  higher  work  and  greater  bliss ; 
And  now,  O,  Thou  Eternal  Power, 
Accept  our  praise  and  bless  this  hour. 

The  Chairman  then  introduced  the  gentleman  who  was  to  deliver  th(^ 
address,  as  follows  : 

It  is  with  much  pleasure  I  announce  to  you  a  gentleman  who  is  per- 
sonally known  to  many  of  you,  and  whose  fame  andcharactor  is  familiar 
to  all.     He  was  once  a  resident  of  this  town,  and  mingled  in  our  social 


168 

circles.  \\'ith  us  he  commenced  his  professional  career,  and  at  our 
hands  received  his  first  public  honors ;  and,  notwithstanding  his  present 
elevated  position,  he  has  never  forgotten  his  old  Danvers  friends,  but 
always  receives  them  with  a  kind  and  cordial  greeting.  He  has  come 
among  us  to-day  to  lend  his  important  aid  in  giving  a  start  to  our 
beloved  Institution.  I  know  he  will  receive  a  cordial  welcome  at  your 
hands.     I  now  introduce  to  you  the  Hon.  Rufus  Choate. 

The  orator  was  received  with  a  cordial  greeting,  and  proceeded  to 
deliver  an  address  which  occupied  about  an  hour  and  ten  minutes,  and 
which  was  listened  to  with  intense  delight  and  admiration.  It  was  an 
address  fully  up  to  the  occasion,  and  worthy  of  the  intellect  and  genius 
of  Rufus  Choate.  The  listeners,  who  experienced  so  much  gratification, 
could  hardly  have  been  aware  at  what  a  cost  their  pleasure  was  derived ; 
for  they  could  not  discern,  as  those  brilliant  periods  charmed  the  ear, 
that  the  speaker  was  suffering  from  severe  and  harassing  illness. 

ADDRESS  OF  HON.  RUFUS  CHOATE. 

I  esteem  it  a  great  privilege  to  have  been  allowed  to  unite  with  my 
former  townsmen,  and  the  friends  of  so  many  years — by  whose  season- 
able kindness  the  earliest  struggles  of  professional  life  were  observed 
and  helped — the  friends  of  all  its  periods — so  I  have  found  them — to 
unite  with  you  in  the  transaction  for  which  we  are  assembled.  In  all 
respects  it  is  one  of  rare  interest.  You  have  come  together  to  express 
anew  your  appreciation  of  the  character  and  the  objects  of  the  giver  of 
this  splendid  charity  ;  to  repeat  and  republish  your  grateful  acceptance 
of  it ;  and  to  dedicate  this  commodious  and  beautiful  structure  to  its 
faithful  and  permanent  administration.  You  open  to-day  for  Danvers — 
its  inhabitants  of  this  time,  and  all  its  successions — the  Lyceum  of  knowl- 
edge and  morality.  Under  this  dedication  it  shall  stand  while  Massa- 
chusetts shall  stand.  This  edifice  will  crumble,  certainly,  to  be  replaced 
with  another  :  this  generation  of  the  first  recipients  of  the  gift — the 
'excellent  giver  himself — will  soon  pass  away  :  but  while  our  social  and 
civil  system  shall  endure  ;  while  law  shall  be  administered  ;  while  the 
sentiments  of  justice,  gratitude,  and  honor,  shall  beat  in  one  heart  on 
your  territory,  the  charity  is  immortal. 

For  every  one  among  you  it  is  set  open  equally.  No  fear  that  the 
religious  opinions  he  holds  sacred  will  be  assailed,  or  the  politics  he 
cultivates  insulted,  will  keep  back  any  from  his  share  of  the  diffusive 
good.     Other  places  and  other  occasions  you  reserve  for  dissent  and 


169 

disputation,  and  struggle  for  mastery,  and  the  sharp  competitions  of  life. 
But  here  shall  be  peace  and  reconciliation.  Within  these  walls,  the 
knowledge  and  the  morality,  which  arc  of  no  creed  and  no  party; 
which  are  graceful  and  profitable  for  all  alike — of  every  creed  and 
every  party;  which  are  true  and  real  to  every  mind,  as  mind,  and  from 
the  nature  of  mind  ;  and  to  every  conscience  as  conscience,  and  from 
the  nature  of  conscience;  and  which  are  the  same  thing,  therefore,  in 
every  brain  and  every  heart — this  alone — knowledge  and  morality, 
broad,  free,  identical  as  humanity  itself — is  to  be  inculcated  here. 

Happy  and  privileged  the  community,  beyond  the  measure  of  New 
England  privilege  even,  for  whom  such  high  educational  instrumental- 
ities are  thus  munificently  provided,  and  made  perpetual!  Happy 
especially,  if  they  shall  rouse  themselves  to  improve  them  to  their  ut- 
most capacity — if  they  shall  feel  that  they  are  summoned  by  a  new 
motive,  and  by  an  obligation  unfelt  before,  to  an  unaccustomed  effort 
to  appropriate  to  their  hearts  and  their  reason,  all  the  countless  good 
which  is  hidden  in  knowledge  and  a  right  life ;  an  effort  to  become 
— more  than  before — wise,  bright,  thoughtful,  ingenious,  good  ;  to  attain 
to  the  highest  degree  of  learning  which  is  compatible  with  the  practical 
system  of  things,  of  which  they  are  part ;  to  feed  the  immortal,  spiritual 
nature  with  an  ampler  and  higher  nutrition,  enriching  memory  with  new 
facts  ;  judgment  with  sounder  thoughts  ;  taste  with  more  beautiful  images, 
the  moral  sense  with  more  of  all  things  whatsoever  they  are  lovely, 
honest,  and  of  good  report, — the  reality  of  virtue,  the  desert  of  praise. 

Happy,  almost  above  all,  the  noble  giver,  whose  heart  is  large  enough 
to  pay  of  the  abundance  which  crowns  his  life — to  pay  out  of  his  single 
means — the  whole  debt  this  generation  owes  the  future.  I  honor  and 
love  him,  not  merely  that  his  energy,  sense,  and  integrity  have  raised 
him  from  a  poor  boy — waiting  in  that  shop  yonder — to  be  a  guest,  as 
Curran  gracefully  expressed  it,  at  the  table  of  princes ;  to  spread  a 
table  for  the  entertainment  of  princes — not  merely  because  the  bril- 
liant professional  career  which  has  given  him  a  position  so  command- 
ing in  the  mercantile  and  social  circles  of  the  commercial  capital 
of  the  world,  has  left  him  as  completely  American — the  heart  as 
wholly  untravelled — as  when  he  first  stepped  on  the  shore  of  England 
to  seek  his  fortune,  sighing  to  think  that  the  ocean  rolled  between  him 
and  home ;  jealous  of  honor ;  wakeful  to  our  interests ;  helping  his 
country,  not  by  swagger  and  vulgarity,  but  by  recommending  her  credit; 
vindicating  her  title  to  be  trusted  on  the  exchange  of  nations  ;  sciuandcr- 
ing  himself  in  hospitalities  to  her  citizens — a  man  of  deeds,  not  of  words, 
— not  for  these  merely  I  love  and  honor  him,  but  because  his  nature  is 


170 

affectionate  and  unsophisticated  still  ;  because  his  memory  comes  over 
so  lovingly  to  this  svk'eet  Argos ;  to  the  schoolroom  of  his  childhood  ; 
to  the  old  shop  and  kind  master,  and  the  graves  of  his  father  and  mother; 
and  because  he  has  had  tlic  sagacity,  and  the  character  to  indulge  these 
unextinguished  affections  in  a  gift — not  of  vanity  and  ostentation — but 
of  supreme  and  durable  utility.  With  how  true  and  rational  a  satisfac- 
tion might  he  permit  one  part  of  the  charitable  rich  man's  epitaph  to  be 
written  on  his  grave-stone : — "  What  I  spent  I  had  ;  what  I  kept  1  lost ; 
what  I  gave  away  remains  with  me." 

I  have  found  it  quite  incompatible  with  my  engagements  and  health, 
to  methodize  the  thoughts  which  have  crowded  on  my  mind  in  the  pros- 
pect of  meeting  you  to-day,  into  anything  like  elaborate  or  extended 
discourse  ;  but  I  have  certainly  wished — instead  of  mere  topics  of  con- 
gratulation ;  or  instead  of  diffusing  myself  exclusively  on  the  easy  and 
obvious  commonplaces  of  the  utility  of  knowledge,  and  the  beauty  of 
virtue  ;  or  instead  of  the  mere  indulgence  of  those  trains  of  memory 
and  sensibility,  to  which  the  spectacle  of  old  friends,  and  of  the  chil- 
dren and  grandchildren  of  other  friends,  "  whom  my  dim  eyes  in  vain 
explore,"  almost  irrepressively  impels  me — instead  of  this,  to  submit  a 
practical  suggestion  or  two  in  regard  to  the  true  model  of  turning  the 
Lyceum  to  its  utmost  account ;  and  then  in  regard  to  the  motives  you 
are  under  to  do  so.  These  suggestions  I  make  diffidently  ;  and  there- 
fore I  would  not  make  them  at  all,  but  from  the  conviction  that  in  your 
hands  they  may  come  to  assume  some  little  value. 

I  take  it  for  granted  that  the  declared  wishes  of  Mr.  Peabody  will  be 
considered  as  determining,  quite  peremptorily,  the  general  mode  of 
administering  this  fund.  Better  educational  instrumentalities,  indeed, 
no  man's  wisdom,  in  the  circumstances,  could  have  devised.  Courses 
of  lectures,  then,  and  a  library  of  good  books,  these  are  to  form  the 
means  of  the  Lyceum ;  and  the  problem  is,  in  what  way  you  can  make 
the  most  of  them. 

It  may  seem  a  little  exaggerated  at  its  first  statement,  and  perhaps 
alarming,  but  it  will  serve  at  least  to  introduce  my  more  particular  ideas, 
to  say  that  the  true  view  for  you  to  take  of  this  large  provision  of  men- 
tal means,  and  of  your  relations  to  it,  is  to  regard  yourselves  as  having 
become  ly  its  hestowment  permanently  the  memhers  of  an  institution 
which  undertakes  to  teach  you  by  lectures  and  a  library.  Herein  exactly 
is  the  peculiarity  of  your  new  privilege.  You  are  no  longer,  as  here- 
tofore it  has  been  with  you, — merely  to  be  indulged  the  opportunity  of  a 
few  evenings  in  a  year  to  listen,  for  the  amusement  of  it,  to  half  a  dozen 


171 

discourses  of  as  many  different  speakers,  on  as  many  totally  disconnected 
topics,  treated  possibly  for  ostentation,  and  adapted  only  to  entertain — 
but  however  treated,  and  whatever  fit  for,  totally  forgotten  in  an  hour; 
preceded,  followed  up,  and  assisted  by  no  preparation  and  no  effort  of 
the  hearer ;  giving  no  direction  whatever  to  his  thoughts  or  readintrs  ; 
separated  from  each  other,  even  while  the  Lyceum  season  lasts,  by  a 
week  of  labor,  devoted  even  in  its  leisure  moments  to  trains  of  thought 
or  snatches  of  reading  wholly  unauxiliar  and  irrelative — and  for  nine 
months  or  ten  months  of  the  year  totally  discontinued.  Thanks  to  this 
munificence  you  are  come  to  the  fruition  of  far  other  opportunities. 
An  institution  of  learning  in  the  justest  sense  of  the  term  is  provided 
for  you.  Lectures  are  to  be  delivered  for  you  through  a  far  larger  por- 
tion of  the  year  ;  a  library,  which  will  assuredly  swell  to  thousands  of 
volumes,  is  to  be  accumulated  under  your  eye,  from  which  you  may 
derive  the  means  of  accompanying  any  lecturer  on  any  subject  from 
evening  to  evening  ;  and  this  system  of  provision  is  permanent — hence- 
forth part  and  parcel,  through  its  corporate  existence,  of  the  civil  identity 
and  privilege  of  Danvers.  You  enter  therefore,  to-day — you  may  enter 
— a  new  and  important  school ;  as  durably  such,  as  truly  such — having 
regard  to  differences  of  circumstantial  details, — as  the  seminary  at 
Andover  ;  or  the  Law  School  at  Cambridge  ;  or  the  College  of  Medicine 
at  Philadelphia — all  of  them  schools  too,  and  all  teaching  by  lectures 
and  a  library. 

Setting  out  with  this  idea,  let  me  say  a  word  on  the  Lectures  of  this 
school, — what  they  should  be,  and  hoiv  they  should  he  heard,  assisted, 
and  turned  to  account  by  those  who  hear  them.  And  I  submit  to  the 
trustees  of  the  charity  to  reject,  whether  a  succession  of  such  discourses 
as  I  have  indicated,  on  disconnected  topics,  by  different  speakers — how- 
ever brilliant  and  able  the  individual  performer  may  be — will  in  the  long 
run  yield  the  good,  or  any  approximation  to  the  good,  which  would  be 
derived  from  courses  of  lectures  more  or  less  extended,  like  the  Lowell 
lectures  of  Boston,  each  by  a  single  person,  devoted  to  the  more  exact 
and  thorough  treatment  of  a  single  important  subject. 

Consider  that  the  diffusion  of  knowledge  among  you,  is  the  aim  of  the 
founder.  The  imparthig  of  knowledge  is  the  task  which  he  sets  his 
lecturer  to  do ;  and  of  knowledge  in  any  proper  sense — knowledge 
within  the  legal  meaning  of  this  charity — how  much  can  he  impart  who 
comes  once  in  a  year — once  in  a  life  time,  perhaps — before  his  audience, 
a  stranger;  addresses  it  an  hour  and  goes  his  way?  lie  can  teach 
little  if  he  tries  ;  and  the  chances  are  infinite,  that  to  teach  that  little  he 


172 

will  not  try.  The  temptations  and  the  tendencies  of  that  system  of 
exhibition  are  irresistible  to  make  him  despair  of  conveying  knowledge, 
and  devote  himself  to  producing  effect ;  to  select  some  topic  mainly  of 
emotional  or  imaginative  capability  ;  and  even  then  to  sacrifice  the 
beauty  which  is  in  truth,  to  the  counterfeit  presentment  which  mocks  it 
in  glitter,  exaggeration,  ingenuity  and  intensity.  If  he  would  spend  his 
hour  in  picking  up  and  explaining  a  shell  or  pebble  from  the  shore  of 
the  ocean  of  knowledge,  it  were  something;  but  that  seems  unworthy 
of  himself  and  of  the  expectations  which  await  him ;  and  up  he  soars 
or  down  he  sinks,  to  rhetoric  or  pathos ;  and  when  his  little  part  is  best 
discharged,  it  is  not  much  more  than  the  lovely  song  of  one  who  hath  a 
pleasant  voice,  and  can  play  well  upon  an  instrument. 

I  do  not  say  that  such  lectures  are  hurtful.  I  do  not  deny  them  a  cer- 
tain capacity  of  usefulness.  I  do  not  say  they  are  not  all  which  you 
should  look  for  in  our  lyceums,  as  ordinarily  they  are  constituted.  They 
are  all  which,  for  the  present,  you  will  yourselves,  perhaps,  be  able  to  pro- 
vide. But  to  an  endowed  and  durable  foundation  like  this,  they  are  totally 
inapplicable.  They  would  be  no  more  nor  less — after  you  shall  be  com- 
pletely organized — than  a  gross  abuse  of  the  charity,  and  violation  of 
the  will  of  the  giver.  It  is  not  merely  that  they  tvould  teach  no  knowl- 
edge, and  would  not  assume  to  do  it,  and  that  the  nature  and  laws  of 
that  kind  of  composition,  and  the  conditions  of  its  existence,  totally  ex- 
clude such  a  function.  It  goes  further  than  that.  The  relations  be- 
tween teacher  and  pupil,  under  such  a  system,  never  exist  at  all.  The 
audience  never  think  of  coming  before  the  lecturer  to  have  the  truths 
of  the  last  lecture  retouched,  and  new  ones  deduced  or  added  ;  to  have 
the  difficulties  of  which  they  have  been  thinking  since  they  heard  him 
before,  resolved  ;  to  ask  questions  ;  to  be  advised  what  authors  to  read, 
or  what  experiments  to  undertake  on  the  subject  he  is  illustrating.  They 
carry  no  part  of  his  sermon  into  the  week  with  them  ;  and  he  never 
knows  or  asks  whether  they  do  or  not.  In  the  nature  of  things,  this  all 
must  he  so.  It  is  of  the  essential  conception  of  knowledge,  as  the 
founder  here  uses  the  word — knowledge  as  applicable  to  anything — that 
it  includes  many  particulars  of  fact  or  idea,  arranged  by  method — that 
is,  arranged  according  to  their  true  relations. 

Whatever  it  be  on  which  knowledge  is  to  be  imparted — whether  one 
of  the  phenomena  of  nature,  as  vegetable  life ;  or  insensible  motion ; 
or  the  periods  of  the  stars  ;  or  some  great  aspect  of  humanity — as  the 
history  of  a  renowned  age  or  event,  pregnant  of  a  stupendous  future  ; 
or  a  marked  man  of  the  heroic  and  representative  type  ;  or  one  of  the 


173 

glorious  productions  of  mind — as  a  constitution  of  free  government,  or 
a  union  of  states  into  one  nationality ;  a  great  literature,  or  even  a  great 
poem — whatever  it  be,  that  which  makes  up  the  consummate  knowledge 
of  it  is  at  once  so  much  a  unity  and  an  infinity — it  unfolds  itself  into 
so  many  particulars  ;  one  deduced  from  another  by  series  ever  progres- 
sive ;  one  modifying  another;  every  one  requiring  to  be  known  in  order 
that  any  one  may  be  exactly  known — that  if  you  mean  to  teach  it  by 
lectures  at  all,  you  must  substitute  a  totally  different  system.  It  imist 
he  done  hy  courses  contimiously  delivered,  and  frequently,  hy  the  same 
person,  and  having  for  their  object  to  achieve  the  exact  and  exhaustive 
treatment  of  something — some  science,  some  art,  some  age,  some  trans- 
action that  changed  the  face  of  fortune  and  history — something  worthy 
to  be  completely  known.  He  whom  you  call  to  labor  on  this  founda- 
tion must  understand  that  it  is  knowledge  which  is  demanded  of  him. 
He  must  assure  himself  that  he  is  to  have  his  full  time  to  impart  it. 
He  must  come  to  the  work  appreciating  that  he  is  not  to  be  judged  by 
the  brilliancy  or  dullness  of  one  passage,  or  one  evening  ;  but  that  he 
must  stand  or  fall  by  the  mass  and  aggregate  of  his  teachings.  He  is 
to  feel  that  he  is  an  instructor,  not  the  player  of  a  part  on  a  stage  ;  that 
he  is  to  teach  truth,  and  not  cut  a  rhetorical  caper ;  enthusiastic  in  the 
pursuit ;  exact  and  vei'acious  as  a  witness  under  oath  in  the  announce- 
ment. I  would  have  him  able  to  say  of  the  subject  which  he  treats, 
what  Cousin  said  of  philosophy  in  the  commencement  of  one  of  his 
celebrated  courses — after  a  long  interruption  by  the  instability  of  the 
government  of  France  : — "  Devoted  entirely  to  it — after  having  had  the 
honor  to  sujfer  a  little  in  its  service,  I  come  to  consecrate  to  its  illuS' 
tration,  unreservedly,  all  that  remains  to  me  of  strength  and  of  life." 
And  now  how  are  you  to  hear  such  courses  of  lectures  ?  Essentially 
by  placing  yourselves  in  the  relation  of  pupils  of  the  lecturer.  For 
the  whole  period  of  his  course,  let  the  subject  he  teaches  compose  the 
study  of  the  hours,  or  fragments  of  hours,  which  you  can  give  to  study 
at  all.  You  would  read  something,  on  some  topic,  every  day,  in  all 
events.  Let  that  reading,  less  or  more,  relate  exclusively  or  mainly 
to  the  department  of  knowledge  on  which  you  go  to  hear  him.  If  he 
knows  his  buisness  he  will  recommend  all  the  best  books  pertaining  to 
th&t  department,  and  on  these  the  first  purchases  for  the  library  will  be 
quite  likely  in  part  to  be  expended.  Attend  the  instructions  of  his  lips 
by  the  instruction  of  the  printed  treatise.  In  this  way  only  can  you,  by 
any  possibility,  avail  yourselves  at  once  of  all  that  books  and  teachers 
can  do.     In  this  way  only  can  you  make  one  cooperate  with  the  other. 


174 

In  tliis  way  only — in  a  larger  view — can  you  rationally  count  on  con- 
siderable and  ever-increasing  acquisitions  of  knowledge.  Remember 
that  your  opportunities  for  such  attainments  in  this  school,  after  all,  are 
to  be  few  and  brief.  You  and  I  are  children  of  labor  at  last.  The 
practical,  importunate,  ever-recurring  duties  of  the  calling  to  which 
we  are  assigned  must  have  our  best  of  life.  What  are  your  vacations, 
or  mine,  from  work,  for  the  still  air  of  delightful  studies  ?  They  are 
only  divers  infinitely  minute  particles  of  time — half  hours  before  the 
morning  or  midday  meal  is  quite  rep.dy — days,  now  and  then,  not  sick 
enough  for  the  physician  nor  well  enough  for  work — a  rainy  afternoon, 
the  priceless  evening,  when  the  long  task  is  done — these  snatches  and 
intersticial  spaces — moments  literal  and  fleet — these  are  all  the  chances 
that  we  can  borrow  or  create  for  the  luxury  of  learning.  How  difficult 
it  is  to  arrest  these  moments — to  aggregate  them — to  till  them,  as  it  were 
— to  make  them  day  by  day  extend  our  knowledge,  refine  our  tastes, 
accomplish  our  whole  culture,  to  scatter  in  them  the  seed  that  shall 
grow  up,  as  Jeremy  Taylor  has  said,  "to  crowns  and  sceptres"  of  a 
true  wisdom — how  difficult  is  this  we  all  appreciate.  To  turn  them  to 
any  profit  at  all,  we  must  religiously  methodise  them.  Desultory  read- 
ing and  desultory  reverie  are  to  be  forever  abandoned.  A  page  in  this 
book,  and  another  in  that — ten  minutes  thought  or  conversation  on  this 
subject,  and  the  next  ten  on  that — this  strenuous  and  specious  idleness 
is  not  the  way  by  which  our  intervals  of  labor  are  to  open  to  us  the 
portals  of  the  crystal  palace  of  truth.  Such  reading,  too,  and  such 
thinking  are  an  indulgence  by  which  the  mind  loses  its  power — by  which 
curiosity  becomes  sated,  ennui  supervenes,  and  the  love  of  learning 
itself  is  irrevocably  lost.  Therefore,  I  say,  methodise  your  moments. 
Let  your  reading  be  systematic  ever,  so  that  every  interval  of  rest  shall 
have  its  book  provided  for  it — and  during  the  courses  of  your  lectures, 
let  those  books  treat  the  topics  of  the  course. 

Let  me  illustrate  my  meaning.  You  are  attending,  I  will  say,  a 
course  on  astronomy — consisting  of  two  lectures  in  a  week,  for  two 
months.  Why  should  you  not  regard  yourselves  for  these  two  months 
as  students  of  astronomy,  so  far  as  you  can  study  anything,  or  think  of 
anything,  outside  of  your  business ;  and  why  not  determine  to  know 
nothing  else  ;  but  to  know  as  much  of  that  as  you  can,  for  all  that  time  ? 
Consider  what  this  would  involve,  and  what  it  might  accomplish.  Sup- 
pose that  you,  by  strenuous  and  persistent  effort,  hold  that  one  subject 
fully  in  view  for  so  inconsiderable  a  period  ;  that  you  do  your  utmost 
to  turn  your  thoughts  and  conversation  on  it ;  that  you  write  out  the 


175 

lecture,  from  notes  or  memory,  as  soon  as  it  is  given,  and  re-peruse 
and  master  it  before  you  hear  the  next  ;  that  you  read,  not  on  other 
parts  of  the  science,  but  on  the  very  parts  he  has  arrived  at  and  is  dis- 
cussing ;  that  you  devote  an  hour  each  evening  to  surveying  the  archi- 
tecture of  the  heavens  for  yourselves,  seeking  to  learn,  not  merely  to 
indulge  a  vague  and  wandering  sort  of  curiosity  ;  or  even  a  grand,  but 
indistinct  and  general  emotion,  as  if  listening  to  imaginary  music  of 
spheres — but  to  aspire  to  the  science  of  the  stars  ;  to  fix  their  names ; 
to  group  them  in  classes  and  constellations  ;  to  trace  their  tics  ;  their 
reciprocal  influence  ;  their  courses  everlasting — suppose  that  thus,  and 
by  voluntary  and  continuous  exertion,  you  concentrate  on  one  great 
subject,  for  so  considerable  a  period,  all  the  moments  of  time,  and 
snatches  of  hasty  reading,  and  opportunities  of  thought  that  otherwise 
would  have  wasted  themselves  everywhere,  and  gone  ofl"  by  insensible 
evaporation — do  you  not  believe  that  it  would  tell  decisively  upon 
your  mental  culture  and  your  positive  attainments?  Would  not  the 
effort  of  attention  so  prolonged  and  exclusive  be  a  discipline  itself  ines- 
timable ?  Would  not  the  particulars  of  so  much  well-systematized 
reading  and  thought  arrange  themselves  in  your  minds  in  the  form  of 
science — harder  to  forget  than  to  remember — and  might  you  not 
hope  to  begin  to  feel  the  delicious  sensations  implied  in  growing  con- 
sciously in  the  knowledge  of  truth  ? 

I  have  taken  for  granted  in  these  thoughts  on  the  best  mode  of  ad- 
ministering the  charity,  that  your  own  earnest  purpose  will  be  to  turn 
it,  by  some  mode,  to  its  utmost  account.  The  gratitude  and  alacrity 
with  which  you  accepted  the  gift  show  quite  well  how  you  appreciate  the 
claims  of  knowledge  and  the  dignity  of  mental  culture  ;  and  what  value 
you  set  upon  this  rare  and  remarkable  appropriation  to  uses  so  lofty. 
I  have  no  need,  therefore,  to  exhort  you  to  profit  of  these  opportunities; 
but  there  are  one  or  two  views  on  which  I  have  formerly  reflected 
somewhat,  and  which  I  will  briefly  lay  before  you. 

It  is  quite  common  to  say,  and  much  more  common  to  think, 
without  saying  it  aloud,  that  mental  culture  and  learning,  above  the 
elements,  may  well  claim  a  high  place,  as  luxuries  and  indul- 
gence, and  even  a  grand  utility,  for  those  whose  condition  allows 
them  a  life  time  for  such  luxury  and  such  indulgence,  and  the  ap- 
propriation of  such  a  good  ;  but  what  for  labor — properly  so  called 
— they  can  do  little,  even  if  labor  could  pause  to  acquire  them. 
Not  so  has  the  founder  of  this  charity  reasoned  ;  nor  so  will  you.  He 
would  say,  and  so  do  I,  seek  for  mental  power,  and  the  utmost  practi- 


176 

cable  love  and  measure  of  knowledge,  exactly  because  they  will  do  so 
much  for  labor  ;  first  to  inform  and  direct  its  exertions  ;  secondly,  to 
refine  and  adorn  it,  and  disengage  it  from  too  absolute  an  immersion 
in  matter,  and  bring  it  into  relation  to  the  region  of  ideas,  and  spirit- 
uality, and  abstraction  ;  and,  thirdly,  to  soothe  its  fatigues,  and  deceive 
its  hurthens,  and  compose  its  discontent.  On  each  of  these  three  uses 
of  culture  and  learning,  let  me  say  a  word  in  order. 

Consider,  first  how  much  they  can  do  merely  to  inform,  invigorate, 
and  direct  labor  in  its  actual  exertions.  Take  the  matter  on  a  large 
scale,  somewhat.  Take  our  whole  New  England.  I  need  not  tell  you 
that  labor,  manual  and  literal,  is  the  condition — I  will  not  say  of  our 
greatness,  but  of  our  being.  What  were  New  England  without  it  r 
Lying  away  up  under  the  North  Star;  our  winters  long  and  cold;  our 
spring  trembling  and  capricious  ;  our  sky  ungenial  ;  our  coast  iron- 
bound  ;  our  soil  not  over-productive,  by  aid  of  all  our  science,  of  the 
hardier  and  commoner  grains  and  grasses  ;  barren,  almost  of  the  great 
staples  of  commerce  which  adorn  and  enrich  the  wheatfields  of  the 
central  regions — the  ocean  prairies  of  the  West — the  rice  grounds  and 
sugar  and  cotton  plantations  of  the  South  ;  our  area  small ;  our  numbers 
few  ;  our  earlier  occupations  of  navigation  and  fishing  divided  with  us 
by  a  whole  world,  until  just  now  at  peace — what  is  there  for  us  but 
labor — lalor  improhus  omnia  vincens — that  dares  all  things  and  con- 
quers all  things  ?  What  else — what  but  the  vast  and  various  industry 
of  intellectual  civilization,  the  whole  family  of  robust  and  manly 
arts — affording  occupation  to  everybody  every  moment  of  working 
time  ;  occupation  to  every  taste  and  talent  and  faculty,  that  which  it 
likes  best,  which  it  can  do  easiest,  and  which  improves  it  most ; 
occupation  for  strong  and  weak,  bright  and  dull,  young  and  old, 
and  both  the  sexes — that  shall,  with  more  than  magnetic  efficacy 
and  certainty,  seize,  develop,  discipline,  and  perfect  every  capacity, 
the  whole  diff'usive  mass  of  ability,  gathering  up  the  fragments  of  mind 
and  time,  so  that  nothing  be  lost — what  but  this  is  it,  by  which  we  shall 
grow  great  in  material  greatness  ;  by  which  we  shall  vanquish  the  an- 
tagonistic powers  of  nature,  and  build  the  palace  of  a  commodious  and 
conspicuous  national  life  over  against  those  granite  mountains  and  this 
unfruitful  sea  ?  Is  it  not  this  which  is  to  be  to  us  in  place  of  mines  ;  of 
pearls ;  of  vineyards  ;  of  enameled  prairies  ;  of  wheat  fields  and  the  tea' 
plant ;  of  rice  grounds  and  sugar  and  cotton  plantations  dressed  by  the 
hands  of  slaves  ?  This  is  the  transcendant  power,  without  which  we 
are  poor,  give  what  they  will ;  and  with  it  rich,  take  what  they  may. 


177 

True  is  it,  then,  of  all  our  power,  eminence,  and  consideration — as 
of  our  existence,  that  the  condition  is  labor.  Oor  lot  is  labor.  There 
is  no  reversal  of  the  doom  of  man  for  us.  But  is  that  a  reason  why  we 
should  not  aspire  to  the  love  and  attainment  of  learning,  and  to  the  bet- 
tering of  the  mind  .''  For  that  very  reason  we  should  do  so.  Does  not 
the  industry  of  a  people  at  last  rest  upon  and  embody  the  intellect  of 
the  people  ?  Is  not  its  industry  as  its  intellect  ?  Is  not  the  highest 
practicable  degree  of  mental  culture  and  useful  knowledge,  really 
the  best  possible  instrumentality  for  instructing,  vivifying  and  guiding 
the  rough  power  of  labor  ?  Does  it  not  supply  the  chemistry  which 
teaches  it  to  make  rejoicing  harvest ;  how  to  fatten  barren  soils  ;  re- 
claim or  spare  exhausted  soils ;  preserve  rich  soils  ;  irrigate  parched' 
soils  ;  and  make  two  blades  of  grass  grow  where  one  grew  before  ? 
Does  it  not  teach  it  how  to  tunnel  through  mountains,  or  beneath  beds 
of  rivers,  or  under  populous  towns ;  to  bridge  or  fill  the  valley ;  to 
lay  along  and  fasten  in  their  places  the  long  lines  of  iron  roads,  which 
as  mighty  currents  pour  the  whole  vast  inland  into  our  lap  for  exchange 
with  all  the  gatherings  of  the  sea  ?  Does  it  not  teach  it  how  to  plan  its 
voyages,  and  make  its  purchases,  so  as  most  seasonably  to  meet  the 
varying  and  sudden  demand  by  the  adequate  supply  ?  Does  it  not 
teach  it  how  to  construct  its  tools,  and  how  to  use  them  ;  how  to  improve 
old  and  invent  new ;  by  what  shortest  and  simplest  and  cheapest  process 
it  can  arrive  at  the  largest  results  of  production — how,  generally,  it  can 
evoke  to  its  aid  the  auxiliar  forces  of  nature,  and  the  contrivances  of 
years  of  trial  and  skill,  and  then  and  thus,  take  the  impure  ore  from  its 
bed,  the  fleece  from  the  pelt,  the  skin  from  the  animal  frame,  the  cotton 
from  the  pod,  and  refine  and  transfigure  them  into  shapes  of  use  and 
beauty  and  taste — the  clothing,  the  dwellings,  the  furniture  of  civiliza- 
tion— sought  for  in  all  the  markets  of  the  world  ?  Above  all,  does  it 
not  cooperate  with  those  more  direct  precepts  towards  a  right  living, 
which  the  founder  of  the  charity  expects  and  prescribes,  in  imparting 
that  moral  and  prudential  character,  which  is  as  needful  and  as  service- 
able for  thrift  as  for  virtue — thoughtfulness,  economy,  self-estimation, 
self-consciousness,  sobriety,  respect  for  others'  rights,  obedience  to  law, 
an  elevated  standard  of  life  and  mind  ? 

Why,  think  how  much  is  involved  in  a  mere  increased  power  of 
mind  !  How  vast  an  agency  that  is !  There  is  not  an  occupation  of  civ- 
ilized life — from  the  making  of  laws,  and  poems,  achromatic  telescopes 
and  the  machinery  of  cotton  and  woolen  mills,  down  to  the  starting  of 
a  bad  rock  out  of  the  highway — that  is  not  done  better  by  a  bright  man 
12 


178 

than  a  dull  man,  not  being  above  his  business  ;  by  a  quick  than  a  slow 
man  ;  by  an  instructed  man  than  by  a  simple  man  ;  by  a  prudent, 
thoughtful  and  careful  man,  than  by  a  light,  heedless  and  foolish  one. 
Every  one  of  the  occupations — in  other  words  the  universal  labor  of 
civilization  demands — is  nothing  in  the  world  but  a  mental  effort,  putting 
forth  a  physical  effort;  and  you  but  only  go  to  the  fountain-head,  as 
you  ought  to  do,  when  you  seek  by  an  improved  culture  and  a  better 
knowledge  to  give  force  and  power  to  the  imperial  capacity  behind,  and 
set  a  thoughtful  and  prudent  spirit  to  urge  and  guide  it.  You  say,  you 
see,  that  you  bestow  a  new  power  on  man,  when  you  give  him  an  im- 
proved machine.  But  do  you  not  bestow  a  far  more  available  gift, 
when  you  communicate  to  him  an  improvement  of  that  mental  and 
moral  nature  which  invents,  "improves  and  uses — profitably  or  unprof- 
itably — all  machines.  In  one  case  you  give  him  a  definite  and  limited 
amount  of  coined  money  ;  in  the  other  a  mine  of  gold  or  silver  from 
which  treasuries  may  be  replenished.  Nay,  what  avails  the  improved 
machine  to  the  untaught  mind  ?  Put  a  forty-feet  telescope,  with  its 
inirror  of  four  feet  in  diameter,  into  the  hands  of  a  savage,  whether  of 
•civilized  or  barbarous  life,  and  he  sees  about  as  much  as  our  children 
see  through  a  glass  prism — gaudy  outlines — purple,  orange  and  green, 
crossing  and  blending — on  everything.  Let  the  exercised  reason  of 
Herschel  lift  that  tube  from  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  into  the  southern 
sky — and  the  architecture,  not  made  with  hands,  burning  with  all  its 
lamps  of  heaven,  ascends  before  him — 

Glory  beyond  all  glory  ever  seen 
By  waking  sense  or  by  the  dreaming  soul ; 

firmaments  of  fixed  stars  ;  of  which  all  the  stars  in  our  heaven — all  the 
stars  our  eye  takes  in,  form  but  one  firmament — one  constellation  only 
of  a  universe  of  constellations — separated  by  unsounded  abysses,  yet 
holden  together  by  invisible  bands,  and  moving  together  perhaps  about 
some  centre,  to  which  the  unimprisoned  soul  may  in  some  stage  of  be- 
ing ascend,  but  which  earthly  science  shall  vanish  away  without  dis- 
cerning. 

Such  in  kind — not  of  course  in  degree — is  the  additional  power 
vou  give  to  labor,  by  improving  the  intellectual  and  prudential  charac- 
ter which  informs  and  guides  it.  Let  me  bring  a  single  piece  of  direct 
.evidence  on  the  point  to  your  notice. 

A  few  years  since,  Mr.  Mann,  then  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion of  Massachusetts,  addressed  a  letter  to  several  of  the  most  intelli- 
.gect  superintendents  or  proprietors  of  manufacturing  estabHshments  at 


179 

Lowell,  inquiring  whether,  in  point  of  fact,  they  could  discern  any 
difference  between  the  educated  and  uneducated  operative ;  between 
those  whose  intellect  and  heart  had  been  subjected  early  to  the  appre- 
ciable influence  of  mental  and  moral  culture  and  those  who  had  not. 
Their  answers  enrich  one  of  his  reports,  and  they  show,  by  precise 
statistical  details,  derived  from  a  long  course  of  personal  observation, 
that  throughout  the  whole  range  of  mechanical  industry,  the  well 
educated  operative  does  more  work,  does  it  better,  wastes  less,  uses  his 
allotted  portion  of  machinery  to  more  advantage  and  more  profit,  earns 
more  money,  commands  more  confidence,  rises  faster, — rises  higher, 
from  the  lower  to  the  more  advanced  positions  of  his  employment,  than 
the  uneducated  operative. 

I  say,  then,  forasmuch  as  we  are  children  of  labor,  cultivate  mental 
power.  Pointing  the  friends  of  humanity,  and  of  America,  to  this 
charity,  I  say  to  them,  go  and  do  likewise.  Diffuse  mental  power. 
Give  it  to  more  than  have  it  now.  Give  it  in  a  higher  degree.  Give  it 
in  earlier  life.  Think  how  stupendous,  yet  how  practicable  it  were  to 
make,  by  an  improved  popular  culture,  the  entire  laborious  masses  of 
New  England  more  ingenious,  more  inventive,  more  prudent  than  now 
they  are.  How  much  were  effected — how  much  for  power ;  how 
much  for  enjoyment ;  how  much  for  a  true  glory — by  this  accession 
to  the  quality  of  its  mind.  It  would  show  itself  in  half  a  century  in 
every  acre  of  her  surface.  In  the  time  it  would  save  ;  in  the  strength 
it  would  impart ;  in  the  waste  it  would  prevent ;  in  the  more  sedulous 
husbandry  of  all  the  gifts  of  God ;  in  richer  soils,  created  or  opened  ; 
in  the  great  cooperating  forces  of  nature — air,  water,  steam,  fertility 
— yoked  in  completer  obedience  to  the  car  of  labor  ;  in  the  multiplicity 
of  useful  inventions — those  unfailing  exponents,  as  well  as  promoters 
of  popular  mental  activity  and  reach ;  in  the  aggregate  of  production, 
swelled,  diversified,  enriched  ;  in  the  refluent  wave  of  wealth — sub- 
siding here  and  there  in  reservoirs,  in  lakes,  in  springs  perennial,  but 
spread,  too,  everywhere  in  rills  and  streamlets,  and  falling  in  the 
descent  of  dew  and  the  dropping  of  the  cloud — in  these  things  you 
would  see  the  peaceful  triumphs  of  an  improved  mind.  Nor  in  these 
alone,  or  chiefly.  More  beautiful  far,  and  more  precious,  would  they 
beam  abroad  in  the  elevation  of  the  standard  of  comfortable  life  ;  in 
the  heightened  sense  of  individual  responsibility  and  respectability,  and 
a  completer  individual  development ;  in  happier  homos ;  in  better 
appreciation  of  the  sacrodness  of  property,  and  the  sovereignty  of 
justice  in  the  form  of  law  ;  in  more  time  found  and  better  prized,  when 


180 

the  tasks  of  the  day  were   all  well  done,  more  time  found  and  better 
prized  for  the  higher  necessities  of  the  intellect  and  soul. 

I  have  not  time  to  dwell  now  on  the  second  reason,  by  which  I 
suggested  that  labor  should  be  persuaded  to  seek  knowledge,  though  it 
would  well  deserve  a  fuller  handling.  You  find  that  reason  is  the 
tendency  of  culture  and  learning  to  refine  the  work-day  life,  and  adorn 
it ;  to  disengage  it  from  the  contacts  of  matter,  and  elevate  it  to  the 
sphere  of  ideas  and  abstraction  and  spirituality ;  to  withdraw,  as  Dr. 
Johnson  has  said,  "  to  withdraw  us  from  the  power  of  our  senses ;  to 
make  the  past,  the  distant  or  the  future  predominate  over  the  present, 
and  thus  to  advance  us  in  the  dignity  of  thinking  beings."  Surely  we 
need  not  add  a  self-inflicted  curse  to  that  which  pynished  the  fall.  To 
earn  our  bread  in  the  sweat  of  our  brow  is  ordained  to  us  certainly  ; 
but  not,  therefore,  to  forget  in  whose  image  we  were  made,  nor  to 
suffer  all  beams  of  the  original  brightness  to  go  out.  Who  has  doomed 
us,  or  any  of  us,  to  labor  so  exclusive  and  austere,  that  only  half,  the 
lower  half,  of  our  nature  can  survive  it  }  The  unrest  of  avarice,  or  am- 
bition, or  vanity,  may  do  it ;  but  no  necessity  of  our  being,  and  no 
appointment  of  its  author.  Shall  we,  of  our  own  election,  abase  our- 
selves ?  Do  you  feel  that  the  mere  tasks  of  daily  labor  ever  employ  the 
whole  man  ?  Have  you  not  a  conscious  nature,  other  and  beside  that 
which  tills  the  earth  ;  drives  the  plane  ;  squares  the  stone  ;  creates 
the  fabric  of  art, — a  nature  intellectual  ;  spiritual  ;  moral  ;  capacious  of 
science,  capacious  of  truth  beyond  the  sphere  of  sense,  with  large 
discourse  of  reason — looking  before  and  after,  and  taking  hold  on  that 
within  the  veil  ? 

What  forbids  that  this  nature  shall  have  its  daily  bread  also  day  by 
day  ?  What  forbids  that  it  have  time  to  nourish  its  sympathy  with  all 
kindred  human  blood,  by  studying  the  grand  facts  of  universal  history ; 
to  learn  to  look  beyond  the  chaotic  flux  and  reflux  of  mere  appearances, 
which  are  the  outside  of  the  world  around  it,  into  their  scientific  rela- 
tions and  essential  quality  ;  to  soar  from  effects  to  causes,  and  through 
causes  to  the  first ;  to  begin  to  recognize  and  to  love,  here  and  now,  in 
waning  moon  or  star  of  evening,  or  song  of  solemn  bird,  or  fall  of 
water,  or  "  self-born  carol  of  infancy,"  or  transcendent  landscape,  or 
glorious  self-sacrifice — to  begin  to  recognize  and  love  in  these,  that 
beauty  here  which  shall  be  its  dwelling  place  and  its  vesture  in  the  life 
to  come  ;  to  accustom  itself  to  discern  in  all  vicissitudes  of  things — the 
changed  and  falling  leaf ;  the  golden  harvest,  the  angry  sigh  of  Novem- 


181 

ber's  wind,  the  storm  of  snow,  the  temporary  death  of  nature,  the 
opening  of  the  chambers  of  the  South,  and  the  unresting  round  of 
seasons — to  discern  not  merely  the  sublime  circle  of  eternal  change, 
but  the  unfailing  law — flowing  from  the  infinite  mind— and  the 
"  varied  God  " — filling  and  moving,  and  in  all  things,  yet  personal  and 
apart  ?     What  forbids  it  to  cultivate  and  confirm 

The  glorious  habit  by  which  sense  is  made 
Subservient  still  to  moral  purposes, 
Auxiliar  to  divine  ? 

What  forbids  that  it  grow 

Accustomed  to  desires  that  feed 

On  fruitage  gathered  from  the  Tree  of  Life  ? 

I  do  not  say  that  every  man,  even  in  a  condition  of  competence,  can 
exemplify  this  nobler  culture  and  this  rarer  knowledge.  But  I  will  say 
that  the  exactions  of  labor  do  not  hinder  it.  Recall  a  familiar,  though 
splendid  and  remarkable  instance  or  two. 

Burns  reaped  as  much  and  as  well  as  the  duller  companion  by  his 
side,  and  meantime  was  conceiving  an  immortal  song  of  Scotland  ; 
and  Hugh  Miller  was  just  as  painstaking  a  stone  mason  and  as  good 
a  Avorkman  as  if  he  had  not  so  husbanded  his  spare  half  hours  and 
moments  as  to  become,  while  an  apprentice  and  journeyman,  a 
profound  geologist  and  master  of  a  clear  and  charming  English  style. 
But  how  much  more  a  man  was  the  poet  and  the  geologist ;  how  far 
fuller  the  consciousness  of  being  ;  how  much  larger  the  daily  draft  of 
that  admiration,  hope  and  love,  which  are  the  life  and  voice  of  souls ! 

I  come  to  add  the  final  reason  why  the  working  man — by  whom  I 
mean  the  whole  brotherhood  of  industry,  should  set  on  mental  culture 
and  that  knowledge  which  is  wisdom  a  value  so  high — only  not 
supreme — subordinate  alone  to  the  exercises  and  hopes  of  religion 
itself.  And  that  is,  that  therein  he  shall  so  surely  Jind  rest  from  labor  ; 
succor  under  its  lurdens  ;  forgetfulness  of  its  cares,  composure  in  its 
annoyances.  It  is  not  alwaj^s  that  the  busy  day  is  followed  by  the 
peaceful  night.  It  is  not  always  that  fatigue  wins  sleep.  Often  some 
vexation  outside  of  the  toil  that  has  exhausted  the  frame  ;  some  loss  in 
a  bargain  ;  some  loss  by  an  insolvency  ;  some  unforeseen  rise  or  fall 
of  prices  ;  some  triumph  of  a  mean  or  fradulent  competitor  ;  "  the 
law's  delay,  the  proud  man's  contumely,  the  insolence  of  oflicc,  or 
some  one  of  the  spurns  that  patient  merit  from  the  unworthy  takes" — 
some   self-reproach   perhaps — follow   you    within  the  door  ;    chill  the 


182 

fireside  ;  sow  the  pillow  with  tliorns  ;  and  the  dark  care  is  last  in  the 
last  waking  thought,  and  haunts  the  vivid  dream.  Happy,  then,  is  he 
who  has  laid  up  in  youth,  and  held  fast  in  all  fortune,  a  genuine  and 
passionate  love  of  reading.  True  balm  of  hurt  minds  ;  of  surer  and 
more  healthful  charm  than  "  poppy  or  mandragora,  or  all  the  drowsy 
syrups  of  the  world  " — by  that  single  taste  ;  by  that  single  capacity, 
he  may  bound  in  a  moment  into  the  still  region  of  delightful  studies, 
and  be  at  rest.  He  recalls  the  annoyance  that  pursues  him  ;  reflects 
that  he  has  done  all  that  might  become  a  man  to  avoid  or  bear  it  ;  he 
indulges  in  one  good  long  human  sigh — picks  up  the  volume  where 
the  mark  kept  his  place — and  in  about  the  same  time  that  it  takes  the 
Mahometan  in  the  Spectator  to  put  his  head  in  the  bucket  of  water,  and 
raise  it  out,  he  finds  himself  exploring  the  arrow-marked  ruins  of 
Nineveh  with  Layard  ;  or  worshipping  at  the  spring  head  of  the  stu- 
pendous Missouri,  with  Clark  and  Lewis  ;  or  watching  with  Columbus 
for  the  sublime  moment  of  the  rising  of  the  curtain  from  before  the 
great  mystery  of  the  sea  ;  or  looking  reverentially  on  while  Socrates  — 
the  discourse  of  immortality  ended — refuses  the  offer  of  escape,  and 
takes  in  his  hand  the  poison  to  die  in  obedience  to  the  unrighteous 
sentence  of  the  law  ;  or,  perhaps,  it  is  in  the  contemplation  of  some 
vast  spectacle  or  phenomenon  of  nature  that  he  has  found  his  quick 
peace — the  renewed  exploration  of  one  of  her  great  laws — or  some 
glimpse  opened  by  the  pencil  of  St.  Pierre,  or  Humboldt,  or  Chateau- 
briand, or  Wilson,  of  the  "  blessedness  and  glory  of  her  own  deep, 
calm  and  mighty  existence." 

Let  the  case  of  a  busy  lawyer  testify  to  the  priceless  value  of  the 
love  of  reading.  He  comes  home,  his  temples  throbbing,  his  nerves 
shattered,  from  a  trial  of  a  w-eek  ;  surprised  and  alarmed  by  the  charge 
of  the  judge,  and  pale  with  anxiety  about  the  verdict  of  the  next  morning, 
not  at  all  satisfied  with  what  he  has  done  himself,  thou'gh  he  does  not 
yet  see  how  he  could  have  improved  it ;  recalling  with  dread  and  self- 
disparagement,  if  not  with  envy,  the  brilliant  effort  of  his  antagonist, 
and  tormenting  himself  with  the  vain  wish  that  he  could  have  replied 
to  it — and  altogether  a  very  miserable  subject,  and  in  as  unfavorable  a 
condition  to  accept  comfort  from  wife  and  children  as  poor  Christian  in 
the  first  three  pages  of  the  Pilgrim's  Progress.  "With  a  superhuman 
effort  he  opens  his  book,  and  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye  he  is  looking 
into  the  full  "  orb  of  Homeric  or  Miltonic  song,"  or  he  stands  in  the 
crowd  breathless,  yet  swayed  as  forests  or  the  sea  by  winds — hearing 
and  to  judge  the  Pleadings  for  the  Crown ;  or  the  philosophy  which 


183 

soothed  Cicero  or  Boethius  in  their  afflictions,  in  exile,  prison,  and 
the  contemplation  of  death,  breathes  over  his  petty  cares  like  the  sweet 
south  ;  or  Pope  or  Horace  laugh  him  into  good  humor,  or  he  walks 
with  iEneas  and  the  Sybil  in  the  mild  light  of  the  world  of  the  laurelled 
dead — and  the  court-house  is  as  completely  forgotten  as  the  dream  of 
a  pre-adamite  life.  Well  may  he  prize  that  endeared  charm,  so 
effectual  and  safe,  without  which  the  brain  had  long  ago  been  chilled 
by  paralysis,  or  set  on  fire  of  insanity  ! 

To  these  uses,  and  these  enjoyments ;  to  mental  culture  and  know- 
ledge  and  morality — the  guide,  the  grace,  the  solace  of  labor  on  all 
his  fields,  we  dedicate  this  charity  !  May  it  bless  you  in  all  your 
successions  ;  and  may  the  admirable  giver  survive  to  see  that  the  debt 
which  he  recognizes  to  the  future  is  completely  discharged  ;  survive  to 
enjoy  in  the  gratitude,  and  love,  and  honor  of  this' generation,  the  honor, 
and  love,  and  gratitude  with  which  the  latest  will  assuredly  cherish  his 
name,  and  partake  and  transmit  his  benefaction. 

The  choir,  with  the  addition  of  Miss  Willey,  then  sang  an  Anthem, 
"  The  Lord  will  comfort  Zion,"  from  Von  Weber's  Mass,  in  a  style 
which  charmed  all  listeners,  and  commanded  loud  applause. 

Several  other  speakers  were  then  called  upon,  first  of  whom  was 
Hon.  George  S.  Hillard,  of  Boston. 

MR.  HILLARD'S  REMARKS. 
Mr.  Hillard  said  he  had  always  thought  the  people  of  Danvers  were 
a  hospitable  people,  but  he  asked  if  it  was  a  fair  way  of  dealing  with  a 
fellow-creature  to  call  upon  him  to  follow  Mr.  Choate.  Now  that  he 
was  up,  however,  he  would  offer  a  few  remarks.  He  felt  a  lively  interest 
in  this  noble  charity,  and  it  had  his  best  wishes.  He  believed  it  would 
prove  a  fountain  of  good  influences,  which  would  bless  the  whole  bound- 
less continent  from  the  snows  of  Maine  to  the  sunny  plains  of  Georgia. 
He  had  a  brief  word  of  advice  to  offer  in  regard  to  the  future  manage- 
ment of  the  Institution,  and  referred  to  a  series  of  practical  lectures 
delivered  by  Professor  Agassiz,  on  the  geology  of  Nahant,  and  spoke 
of  a  visit  to  his  workshop  there  on  that  rocky  peninsula,  (which  seemed 
like  a  clinched  and  gauntleted  hand  thrown  out  in  defiance),  as  exhibit- 
ing to  him  the  poetry  of  the  sea,  and  the  truth  of  the  sea  which  was 
higher  than  its  poetry.  He  urged  upon  the  young  the  importance  of 
cultivating  truths  and  concluded  a  very  eloquent  speech  amidst  the 
plaudits  of  the  audience. 


184 


JUDGE  WHITE'S  REMARKS. 

Judge  White,  of  Salem,  was  next  called  upon.  He  had  been 
acquainted  with  the  people  of  Danvers  for  more  than  50  years — from 
the  days  of  Holten  and  Wadsworth — and  he  testified  to  their  virtues, 
and  expressed  his  gratification  that  one  son  of  Danvers  had  done  for 
her  what  she  so  well  deserved.  He  had  been  shown  a  document  which 
proved  that  an  institution  called  the  "  Union  Library  "  was  started  60 
years  ago,  whose  objects  were  precisely  similar  to  those  so  fully  met 
by  this  institution.  He  thought  it  possible  that  the  spirit  which  led  to 
that  association  had  eventually  found  an  exponent  in  Mr.  Peabody,  and 
enlarged  upon  the  important  lesson  which  Mr.  Peabody  had  given  to 
the  elder  portion  of  the  community  on  the  use  of  wealth.  He  believed 
that  the  good  resulting  from  this  benefaction  would  lead  to  the  estab- 
lishment of  similar  institutions  in  other  towns,  and  that  men  of  wealth 
would  learn  that  true  wisdom  consists  in  philanthropy.  In  conclusion 
he  gave  as  a  sentiment :  * 

The  Peabody  Institute — So  honorable  to  the  people  of  Danvers — May  they  manage 
and  cherish  it  in  the  noble  spirit  of  its  founder,  and  in  all  their  prosperity  may  they 
remember  that  the  best  use  of  wealth  consists  in  promoting  the  highest  welfare  of 
man. 

Hon.  Asahel  Huntington  was  called  upon,  as  an  ex-mayor  of  Salem, 
and  responded  as  follows  :  — 

MR.   HUNTINGTON'S  REMARKS. 

Mr.  President :  — 

This  call  upon  the  ex-mayors  of  Salem  has  taken  me  altogether  by 
surprise,  and  I  would  gladly  defer  to  my  friend  and  immediate  prede- 
cessor ;  but,  as  he  is  an  exceedingly  modest  gentleman,  and  shakes  his 
head,  I  will  say  a  word  or  two  in  answer  to  your  invitation.  I  regret 
that  the  present  head  of  our  government  is  not  here,  to  speak  with 
authority  for  our  city,  and  to  express  the  congratulations  of  our  people 
on  the  event  which  marks  the  proceedings  of  this  day.  I  am  sure  that 
imperative  engagements  only  would  have  prevented  his  attendance 
here  in  pei'son,  to  express,  not  only  his  own  interest  in  this  occasion, 
but  that  of  the  city  government,  and  of  our  citizens  generally.  We 
are  your  friends  and  neighbors.  In  the  olden  times  you  were  of  us. 
For  successive  generations  you  had  part  and  lot  with  us  in  the  old  town 
of  Salem,  sharing  with  us  in  the  same  organization  and  municipal 
administration  and  privileges.     While  you  were  with  us,  and  of  us,  we 


185 

had  nothing  to  complain  of  in  your  conduct,  except  that  little  episode 
in  "  Salem  Village  "  which  occurred  about  1692.  But  that  matter  was 
satisfactorily  adjusted,  and  we  parted  good  friends  over  a  hundred 
years  ago,  and  we  have  remained  on  the  best  of  terms  ever  since, 
always  rejoicing,  on  our  part,  in  whatever  has  tended  to  your  advance- 
ment and  prosperity.  Well  may  we,  therefore,  of  the  same  ancient 
household,  be  here  to-day  to  congratulate  you  on  the  inauguration  of 
the  "  Peabody  Institute,"  which  is  to  be, — and  which  will  deserve  to 
be, — in  all  future  time,  one  of  your  most  cherished  and  useful  institu- 
tions. It  will  constitute  an  epoch  in  your  history.  If  you  or  your  sons 
get  up  many  more  such  institutions  among  you,  I  do  not  know,  if  you 
will  not  come  to  us  by  re-annexation ;  that  Salem  will  not  seek  to  be 
annexed  to  Danvers,  upon  the  promise,  however,  on  your  part,  that  you 
shall  not  revive  any  of  those  old  practices  of  1692. 

This  idea  of  Mr.  Peabody,  of  prompt  payment,  is  a  most  excellent 
one  ;  and  most  nobly  has  he  illustrated  his  sentiment,  "  Education, — a 
debt  due  from  present  to  future  generations."  He  has  opened  in  your 
midst,  in  these  beautiful  halls,  the  fountains  of  knowledge  and  instruc- 
tion, and,  by  his  munificent  endowments,  has  so  fortified  and  guarded 
them,  that  they  are  to  be  kept  open  for  all  the  future  generations  of  this 
people  ;  giving,  always,  improvement,  culture,  expansion,  enlarge- 
ment, and  the  stature  of  perfect  man.  We  see  in  this  endowment  an 
illustration  of  the  true  uses  of  wealth,  and  an  example  to  be  held  in 
especial  honor  and  remembrance  here,  and  in  this  land  of  free  govern- 
ment and  free  institutions,  for  their  foundations  must  ever  rest  on  the 
virtue  and  intelligence  of  the  people  ;  and  whoever  does  the  most  in 
laying  such  foundations  is  the  truest  benefactor  of  his  age  and  race. 
Especial  honor,  therefore,  be  to  the  founder  of  this  Institute,  who  has, 
with  such  true  and  judicious  liberality,  performed  his  part  in  actually 
paying  the  debt  to  the  "  future  generations."  Let  other  trustees  of  the 
wealth  of  this  world  emulate  so  noble  an  example,  and  thus  make  the 
world  better  by  their  having  lived  in  it. 

The  exercises  throughout  were  of  a  highly  interesting  character, 
affording  an  intellectual  entertainment  such  as  is  rarely  offered  in  any 
community.  A  large  number  of  distinguished  strangers  honored  the 
occasion  by  their  presence,  and  among  those  invited  who  were  unable 
to  attend  was  His  Excellency  Governor  Washburn,  who  expressed  his 
regret  in  the  following  letter  :  — 


186 

Worcester,  Sept.  27,  1854. 

Dear  Sir, — Your  polite  invitation  to  attend  the  dedication  of  the  Pea- 
body  Institute,  on  the  29th,  is  just  received. 

I  hasten  to  acknowledge  the  honor  of  the  invitation,  and  to  express 
my  regret  that  the  lateness  of  the  hour  will  prevent  my  being  able  to 
arrange  my  engagements  so  as  to  be  present. 

I  regret  this  the  more  that,  in  addition  to  the  rich  entertainment 
promised  on  the  occasion  to  the  lovers  of  true  eloquence,  I  lose  the 
opportunity  of  expressing  by  my  presence  the  high  respect  I  entertain 
for  the  founder  of  the  Institute  for  his  noble  and  generous  qualities  of 
mind  and  heart.  In  this  I  do  but  share  the  feeling  which  every  Ameri- 
can entertains  who  has  been  fortunate  enough  to  witness  abroad  his 
uniform  kindness  and  cordiality  towards  his  countrymen. 

Danvers  may  well  be  proud  of  such  a  son,  who,  in  the  brilliancy  of 
his  success,  is  still  true  to  his  early  associations  and  the  memory  of  the 
spot  of  his  birth. 

He  needs,  however,  no  eulogy  at  my  hand  ;  and  my  regret  is,  that  I 
could  not  silently  indicate  my  respect  by  mj^  presence,  while  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  meeting  the  friends  at  Danvers  who  will  be  present  on  that 
occasion,  and,  among  them,  yourself 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  ob't  serv't, 

Emoey  Washburn. 

R.  S.  Daniels,  Esq. 


f^^ 


"e?f3t^- 


187 


LYCEUM   AND   LIBRARY. 


After  the  dedication  of  the  building  to  its  appropriate  uses,  measures 
were  immediately  adopted  to  procure  a  Course  of  Lectures,  and  to 
open  the  Library  to  the  use  of  the  citizens  of  the  town.  Indeed,  con- 
siderable progress  had  already  been  made  by  the  Committee  having 
charge  of  these  duties,  by  correspondence  with  lecturers,  and  by  pur- 
chasing and  preparing  books,  to  open  the  Institute  to  the  public. 

It  was  not  until  late  in  November  that  the  sub-committee  having 
charge  of  the  Lectures  were  enabled  to  open  the  hall  for  the  delivery 
of  the  Introductory  Lecture.  They  were  fortunate  in  obtaining  the 
services  of  Hon.  George  S.  Hillard,  of  Boston,  to  open  the  first 
course,  whose  high  reputation  for  eloquent  scholarship  and  graceful 
elocution  was  well  sustained  in  this  performance.  The  discourse  was 
prepared  especially  for  the  occasion,  and  was  replete  with  sound  views 
and  wise  suggestions  in  relation  to  the  ends  to  be  sought  in  conducting 
an  institution  such  as  was  then  going  into  practical  operation.  The 
hall  on  this  occasion  was  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity,  a  large  num- 
ber not  being  able  to  find  seats,  or  even  standing-room,  and  many  went 
away  for  lack  of  accommodation. 

The  lecturer  was  introduced  to  the  audience  by  Hon.  A.  A.  Abbott, 
Chairman  of  the  Lyceum  Committee,  with  some  brief  and  well-timed 
remarks,  eloquently  delivered,  and  appropriate  to  the  occasion. 

By  the  attention  of  Mr.  George  F.  Osborne,  Secretary  of  the  Com- 
mittee, we  are  enabled  to  give  a  list  of  the  lecturers  who  have  appeared 
before  the  Lyceum,  and  their  subjects  :  — 

FIRST   COURSE   OF   LECTURES,   FOR    1854-55. 

First — Introductory  Lecture,  by  Hon.  George  S.  Hillard,  of  Bos- 
ton, on  Tuesday  evening,  Nov.  29,  1854.  After  the  Lecture,  a  Poem, 
written  for  the  occasion  by  a  native  of  the  town,  was  read  by  Thomas 

B.  HiNKLEY,  Esq. 

Second  Lecture — Wednesday  evening,  Dec.  6,  by  Daniel  N.  Has- 


188 

KELL,  Esq.,  of  Boston.     Subject,  "  The  Early  Political  Parties  of  the 
United  States." 

Third  Lecture — Tuesday  evening,  Dec.  12,  by  Rev.  Theodore 
Parker,  of  Boston.     Subject,  "  The  Anglo-Saxon  Race." 

Fourth  Lecture — Tuesday  evening,  Dec.  19,  by  Rev.  Prof.  Thomas 
P.  Field,  of  Amherst  College.     Subject,  "  Oratory." 

Fifth  Lecture — Tuesday  evening,  Dec.  26,  by  Rev.  Dr.  E.  S.  Gan- 
nett, of  Boston.     Subject,  "  Manners." 

Sixth  Lecture — Tuesday  evening,  Jan.  2,  1855,  by  Rev.  Lyman 
Whiting,  of  Reading.     Subject,  "  Reading." 

Seventh  Lecture — Tuesday  evening,  Jan.  9,  by  E.  P.  Whipple, 
Esq.,  of  Boston.     Subject,  "  Cheerfulness." 

Eighth  Lecture — Wednesday  evening,  Jan.  17,  by  Rev.  Prof.  R.  D. 
Hitchcock,  of  Bowdoin  College.  Subject,  "  Work,  and  Man's  Rela- 
tion to  it." 

Ninth  Lecture — Tuesday  evening,  Jan.  23,  by  R.  W.  Emerson, 
Esq.,  of  Concord.     Subject,  "  English  Civilization." 

Tenth  Lecture — Tuesday  evening,  Jan.  30,  by  Rev.  A.  A.  Miner, 
of  Boston.     Subject,  "  The  Young  American." 

Eleventh  Lecture — Tuesday  evening,  Feb.  6,  by  Rev.  T.  Starr 
King,  of  Boston.     Subject,  "  Laws  of  Disorder." 

Twelfth  Lecture — Tuesday,  Feb.  13,  by  Dr.  R.  Solger,  of  Boston, 
Subject,  "  The  Eastern  Question." 

Thirteenth  Lecture — Tuesday,  Feb.  20,  by  the  same,  on  the  same 
subject. 

Fourteenth  Lecture — Tuesday,  Feb.  27,  by  the  same,  on  the  same 
subject. 

Fifteenth  Lecture — Tuesday,  March  6,  by  the  same,  on  the  same 
subject. 

Sixteenth  Lecture — Tuesday,  March  13,  by  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy, 
Jr.,  of  Boston.     Subject,  "  The  Mormons." 


189 

Seventeenth  Lecture — Tuesday,  March  19,  by  Rev.  A.  L.  Stone,  of 
Boston.     Subject,  "  The  Point  of  Observation." 

Eighteenth  Lecture — March  27,  by  Richard  H.  Dana,  Jr.,  of  Bos- 
ton.    Subject,  "  Edmund  Burke." 


SECOND  COURSE  OF  LECTURES,  FOR  1855-56. 

First   Lecture — Dec.   4,    1855,  by   Hon.   Chakles  W.   Upham,  of 
Salem.     Subject,  "  The  Philosophy  of  Government." 

Second  Lecture — Dec.  12,  by  Dr.  R.  Solger,  of  Boston.     Subject, 
"  The  Anglo-Saxon  Woman  and  her  Home." 

Third  Lecture— Dec.   18,  by  J.  G.  Hoyt,  Esq.,  of  Exeter,  N.  H. 
Subject,  "  Modern  Fallacies." 

Fourth  Lecture — Dec.  25,  by  Rev.  George  W.  Briggs,  D.D.,  of 
Salem.     Subject,  "  The  New  England  Fathers." 

Fifth  Lecture — Jan.   1,  1856,  by  Dr.  R.  Solger,  of  Boston.     Sub- 
ject, "  Sevastopol." 

Sixth  Lecture — Jan.  8,  by  Rev.  Charles  H.  Wheeler,  of  South 
Danvers.     Subject,  "  Venice." 

Seventh  Lecture — Jan.  15,  by  Rev.  Prof.  F.  D.  Huntington,  of 
Harvard  University.     Subject,  "  Work  and  Study." 

Eighth  Lecture — Jan.  22,  by  Dr.  O.  W.  Holmes,  of  Boston.     Sub- 
ject, "  The  Americanized  European." 

Ninth  Lecture — Jan.  28,  by  Rev.  Rufus  W.  Clark,  of  Boston.    Sub- 
ject, "  Russia." 

Tenth   Lecture — Feb.   5,  by  Rev.  Theodore  Parker,  of  Boston. 
Subject,  "  ThcFalse  and  True  Idea  of  a  Gentleman." 

Eleventh  Lecture — Feb.  26,  by  Ralph  W.  Emerson,  Esq.,  of  Con- 
cord.    Subject,  "  Beauty." 

Twelfth  and  Closing  Lecture — March  11,  by  Rev.  T.  Starr  King, 
of  Boston.     Subject,  "  Sight  and  Insight." 


190 

The  Third  Annual  Course,  for  1856-57,  was  opened  on  Thursday 
evening,  Dec.  4,  1856,  by  a  Lecture  from  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  of 
Boston,  on  "  Our  Obligations  to  France."  It  was  expected  that  Mr. 
Peabody  would  have  been  present  at  the  opening  of  the  Lyceum  for 
the  present  season  ;  but  he  was  prevented  from  coming  by  a  slight 
indisposition,  and  the  severity  of  the  weather,  which  rendered  it  impru- 
dent for  him  to  leave  his  home  at  Georgetown,  where  he  resides  with 
his  sister,  Mrs.  J.  P.  Russell. 

It  became  widely  known  among  our  chizcns  that  Mr.  Peabody  fully 
intended  to  be  present,  and  great  disappointment  was  felt  at  his  un- 
avoidable absence.  A  very  large  audience  had  assembled,  many  of 
them  with  the  expectation  of  once  more  seeing  Mr.  Peabody.  Mr. 
Quincy,  in  introducing  his  subject,  alluded  to  the  disappointment  of  the 
evening  in  some  appropriate  remarks,  and  spoke  nearly  as  follows :  — 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  :  — 

I  cannot  open  this  course  of  popular  lectures  without  alluding  to 
the  very  pleasant  and  auspicious  event  that  has  occurred  since  the  con- 
clusion of  the  last.  Some  forty  years  ago,  a  youth  left  this  village  to 
seek  his  fortune  in  a  distant  State,  and  ultimately  in  a  foreign  land. 
Integrity,  sagacity,  and  energy,  marked  his  career,  and  his  name 
became  known  in  the  metropolis  of  the  world  as  the  Great  American 
Banker.  He  exercised  the  vast  power  and  influence  that  this  position 
conferred  upon  him  for  the  honor  and  advantage  of  his  country.  His 
wealth  and  courage  saved  the  credit  of  his  adopted  State  of  Maryland  ; 
and  his  princely  hospitality  was  the  means,  not  only  of  giving  tempo- 
rary pleasure  to  the  hosts  of  Americans  who  visited  London,  but  had 
the  effect  of  drawing  closer  the  bonds  which,  we  trust,  will  forever  unite 
the  two  great  branches  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  family. 

It  is  wisely  ordered  that  the  earliest  impressions  are  always  the  most 

lasting ; 

Dear  is  the  school-boy  spot 

We  ne'er  forget,  tho'  there  wc  are  forgot ; 

and  in  the  rush  of  business,  and  under  the  pressure  of  responsibilities, 
he  looked  back  to  the  quiet  and  peaceful  village  of  hi^  birth,  and  had 
the  natural  desire  of  being  known  and  remembered  there. 

With  his  usual  sagacity,  he  chose  the  most  fitting  time  and  the  most 
appropriate  manner  of  ensuring  this  end.  On  the  great  centennial 
anniversary  of  the  settlement  of  the  town — a  day  dedicated  to  the  com- 
memoration of  the  fathers — he  founded  an  institution  to  aid  in  trans- 


191 

mitting  their  intelligence  and  virtues  to  their  sons.  He  did  not  wait 
until  his  wealth  fell  fvom  his  relaxing  grasp,  but  wisely  became  his  own 
executor,  and  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  it  appropriated  in  the  manner 
he  desired. 

I  need  not  tell  you  that  he  who  left  this  town  a  youth,  has,  since  your 

last  meeting  in  this  noble  lecture-room, — the  gift  of  his  munificence 

returned,  to  witness  the  completion  of  his  plans,  and  receive  the  grate- 
ful testimony  of  the  affection  and  remembrance  of  his  townsmen. 

Our  friend  will  soon  leave  us,  to  resume  the  place  he  so  nobly  occu- 
pies among  the  merchant  princes  of  the  world.  We  can  assure  him 
that  he  will  never  be  forgotten, — that  those  who  have  seen  him  here 
will  rehearse  the  event  of  his  presence  to  their  children's  children,  and 
that,  for  centuries,  among  the  proudest  recollections  of  the  old  town  of 
South  Danvers  will  be,  that  it  was  the  birth-place  of  George  Peabody. 

It  is  proposed  by  the  Lyceum  Committee  of  the  present  year  to  adopt 
the  recommendation  of  Mr.  Choate,  in  his  excellent  address  at  the  dedi- 
cation of  the  Institute,  so  far  as  to  have  one  or  more  cowses  of  lectures 
on  some  single  subject  from  the  same  person,  instead  of  the  usual  plan 
of  a  series  of  lectures  by  different  persons  on  widely  different  themes. 
It  is  possible,  however,  that,  if  space  intei*venes  between  the  courses 
thus  provided,  some  lectures  of  a  miscellaneous  character  may  be 
delivered. 


THE   LIBRARY. 

It  has  been  before  remarked,  that  the  attention  of  the  government  of 
the  Institute  was  early  directed  to  the  procuring  and  preparation  of  the 
Library.  This  was  a  work  of  no  inconsiderable  amount  of  labor  and 
attention.  As  soon  as  the  books  could  be  examined,  catalogued,  cov- 
ered, and  numbered,  they  were  placed  upon  the  shelves,  and  the 
Libraiy-Room  thrown  open  to  the  public.  This  was  effected  on  the 
18th  of  October,  1854.  Great  eagerness  was  shown  on  the  part  of  the 
citizens  to  avail  themselves  of  this  portion  of  the  boon  bestowed  on 
the  town,  and  a  large  number  immediately  complied  with  the  regula- 
tions adopted  for  the  government  of  the  Library.  The  following  are 
the  regulations  established  by  the  Committee,  and  which  still  exist  with 
but  very  slight  change  : — 


192 


RULES  AND  REGULATIONS  OF  THE  PEABODY  LIBRARY. 

ARTICLE    FIRST. 

The  Library  shall  be  open  for  the  delivery  of  books  on  every  Wed- 
nesday, from  three  to  eight  o'clock,  p.m.,  and  on  every  Saturday,  from 
two  to  eight  o'clock,  p.m.,  except  during  the  fortnight  immediately  pre- 
ceding the  Annual  Examination  of  the  Library. 

ARTICLE    SECOND. 

All  persons  hereinafter  specified,  who  shall  sign  an  obligation  to 
observe  all  the  existing  Rules  and  Regulations  of  the  Library,  and  all 
that  may  be  subsequently  prescribed  by  due  authority,  shall  have  free 
right  to  take  books  from  the  Library,  so  long  as  they  comply  strictly 
with  all  its  Regulations,  viz.  :  — 

First. — All  members  of  the  Board  of  Reference,  which  shall  consist 
of  the  following  persons,  viz.  :  the  Trustees  of  the  Peabody  Institute  ; 
the  Lyceum  and  Libraiy  Committee  ;  the  Selectmen,  Clerk,  Treasurer, 
and  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  of  the  town  ;  the  School  Committee,  and 
the  Prudential  Committees  of  the  several  School  Districts  ;  all  Ministers 
of  the  Gospel  4-egularly  officiating  in  the  town,  and  the  Teachers  of  the 
High  Schools. 

Second. — Every  inhabitant  of  the  town  over  twenty-one  years  of 
age  who  shall  be  recommended  by  any  member  of  the  Board  of  Ref- 
erence as  a  suitable  person  to  enjoy  the  privileges  of  the  Library. 

Printed  certificates  of  the  form  of  recommendation  required  will  be 
furnished  by  the  Librarian. 

Third. — All  persons  between  the  ages  of  fifteen  and  twenty-one 
years  who  shall  be  certified  as  above,  and  who  shall  also  produce  a 
certificate,  signed  by  his  or  her  parent,  guardian,  or  other  responsible 
person,  that  the  person  so  signing  said  certificate  will  become  respon- 
sible for  said  minor's  observance  of  the  Rules  of  the  Libraiy,  and  for 
any  loss  or  damage  to  the  books  by  said  minor. 

Fourth. — Any  inhabitant  of  the  town  not  producing  a  certificate 
from  the  Board  of  Reference,  but  who  shall  deposit  the  full  value  of 
the  volume  called  for,  or  of  the  set  to  which  it  belongs,  as  security  for 
its  safe  return. 

Fifth. — Aay  person  not  an  inhabitant  of  the  town  who  shall  be  a 
benefactor  to  the  Library  to  an  amount  not  less  than  twenty-five 
dollars. 


193 


ARTICLE    THIRD. 

Every  person  entitled  to  borrow  books  from  the  Library  shall  receive 
from  the  Librarian  a  printed  card,  on  which  the  book  asked  for  shall 
be  designated  by  its  catalogue  number,  in  blanks  left  for  the  purpose  ; 
and  this  card  will  be  presented  to  the  Librarian,  or  his  Assistant,  as  the 
only  mode  of  obtaining  any  book  that  may  be  wanted.  If  the  book  is 
not  to  be  found,  the  card  will  be  returned  for  the  applicant  to  insert 
another  number. . 

ARTICLE    FOURTH. 

No  person  shall  be  allowed  more  than  one  volume  at  any  one  time, 
and  no  book  shall  be  kept  out  of  the  Library  more  than  fourteen  days. 
Nor  shall  the  person  returning  a  book  be  at  liberty  to  retake  the  same 
until  the  next  Library  day.  Tlie  fine  for  retention  of  any  volume  over 
the  time  above  specified  shall  be  five  cents  for  every  half  week  it  is  so 
retained. 

ARTICLE    FIFTH. 

When  any  book,  on  account  of  its  great  popularity,  is  likely  to  be 
frequently  called  for,  the  time  of  its  retention  from  the  Library  may 
be  limited  to  a  week  or  half  week,  the  time  of  its  retention  being  made 
conspicuous  on  its  cover  ;  and  if  such  book  is  retained  beyond  the 
specified  time,  the  person  so  retaining  it  shall  pay  the  same  fine  as  is 
provided  in  Article  Fourth. 

ARTICLE    SIXTH. 

Any  book  retained  two  weeks  beyond  the  time  prescribed  by  these 
Regulations  shall  be  sent  for  by  the  Librarian,  and  the  expense  incurred 
in  obtaining  it  shall  be  paid  by  the  person  who  has  so  retained  it. 

ARTICLE    SEVENTH. 

All  injuries  to  hooks,  beyond  a  reasonable  wear,  and  all  losses,  shall 
be  made  good,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Library  Committee,  by  the 
persons  liable  ;  and  any  book  not  returned  within  one  week  after  de- 
mand for  it,  made  by  the  Librarian,  shall  be  regarded  as  lost. 

ARTICLE    EIGHTH. 

All  books  are  required  to  be  returned  to  the  Library  fourteen  d^ys 
before  the  Annual  Examination  in  July,  under  penalty  of  a  fine  of  One 
Dollar  ;  but  seasonable  public  notice  shall  be  given  by  the  Librarian. 
13 


194 


ARTICLE    NINTH. 


No  person  having  a  book  from  the  Library  shall  lend  it  to  any  per- 
son not  a  member  of  the  same  household. 


ARTICLE    TENTH. 


No  person  owing  a  fine  or  forfeiture  shall  receive  books  from  the 
Library  until  the  same  is  paid. 


ARTICLE    ELEVENTH. 


All  persons  visiting  the  Library  Room  will  be  required  to  demean 
themselves  quietly,  and  no  conversation  will  be  allowed  in  the  room. 

Any  person  abusing  the  privileges  of  the  Library,  by  improper  or 
offensive  conduct,  will  be  denied  admission  to  the  Library  Room. 


ARTICLE    TWELFTH. 


Persons  entitled  to  the  privileges  of  the  Library  may  receive  books 
for  consultation  while  the  room  is  open,  and  the  Librarian  shall  enter 
all  books  thus  withdrawn,  and  erase  the  entry  when  they  are  returned. 

If  a  person  neglects  to  return  any  book  to  the  Librarian,  he  shall  pay 
the  same  fine  that  would  be  charged  for  a  week's  detention  over  the 
lime  prescribed  by  the  Regulations. 


ARTICLE    THIRTEENTH. 


Books  of  reference,  and  those  deemed  by  the  Committee  unsuitable 
for  general  circulation,  shall  not  be  loaned,  except  by  an  order  signed 
by  at  least  two  of  the  Committee. 


The  Library  has  now  been  in  active  operation  about  two  years,  and 
the  number  of  books  delivered  to  borrowers,  estimating  from  actual 
results  ascertained  the  first  year,  must  have  been  more  than  50,000. 
"Many  of  the  applicants  are  residents  of  the  territory  annexed  to  South 
Danvers  from  the  city  of  Salem  by  act  of  the  last  legislature.  These 
residents  have  thus  secured  to  themselves  the  benefits  of  this  institution, 
which  was  one  great  object  they  had  in  view  in  their  petition  for  annex- 
ation. 

The  books,  by  a  regulation  of  the  Library,  were  called  in  for  the 


195 

annual  examination  in  July,  and  the  result  was  found  to  be,  that  every 
book  was  returned  to  the  shelves.  The  same  result  was  exhibited  the 
previous  year,  although  at  the  time  it  was  thought  that  three  volumes 
were  missing  ;  but  it  was  afterwards  found  that,  by  mistake,  these 
books,  although  catalogued,  had  never  been  placed  in  the  Library.  We 
cannot  but  regard  this  fact  as  very  remarkable  and  unprecedented  in 
the  history  of  similar  institutions.  Although  this  result  may  in  part  be 
owing  to  strict  rules  rigidly  enforced,  it  is  also  a  gratifying  proof  of  the 
desire  of  the  people  to  preserve,  as  well  as  enjoy,  the  bounty  of  their 
Benefactor.  It  is  by  this  care,  as  well  as  by  the  constant  use  of  the 
stores,  prepared  for  their  improvement,  that  they  can  best  evince  their 
appreciation  of  the  gift. 


^f 

'^  u. 


THE  LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

Santa  Barbara 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW. 


Series  9482 


i  w^ 


(t 


3  1205  02528  6277 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


AA    000  877  084    4 


